Iowa History Daily: April 17 - Hoiberg Hangs It Up

Iowa History Daily: On April 17, 2006, legendary Ames and Iowa State men’s basketball star Fred Hoiberg retired from professional basketball. Arguably the most popular player in Iowa State Cyclone history, “The Mayor” wowed audiences in Hilton Coliseum before embarking on a 10-year NBA playing career.

Starting under center at quarterback of the Ames High School football team and as captain of the basketball team, Hoiberg rose to state-wide fame as a standout high school athlete. Leading the Little Cyclones to the state title in 1991, Hoiberg garnered “Iowa Mr. Basketball” honors before signing to play at Iowa State.

Hoiberg played three seasons for coach Johnny Orr and one season for Tim Floyd. Hoiberg earned a First-Team All-Big Eight selection in 1995. Hoiberg stands among the top seven positions for nearly every statistical category at Iowa State, and his number 32 has been retired in Hilton Coliseum. In college, he stood out as an all-around player, capable of making clutch shots in important situations. Hoiberg obtained the nickname "The Mayor" after receiving several write-in votes during the 1993 Ames mayoral race.

Selected 52nd overall by the Indiana Pacers in the 1995 NBA draft. In 1999, after four years with the Pacers, Hoiberg signed as a free agent with the Chicago Bulls, at that time coached by Tim Floyd, where he remained for four years. On July 28, 2003, Hoiberg signed as a free agent to play for the Timberwolves. After medical issues forced retirement, Iowa State University announced that Hoiberg would take over as head basketball coach in April of 2010. 

In taking over at ISU, Hoiberg became the school's 19th men's basketball coach. In 2011–12, Hoiberg led the Cyclones to a 23–11 record and the program's first NCAA basketball tournament appearance since 2005. Hoiberg became the fastest coach in Iowa State history to notch 100 wins (in 148 games) before eventually leaving to coach the Chicago Bulls in the NBA. Now the head coach at Nebraska, Hoiberg still stands out as an all-time Little Cyclone and Cyclone. #IowaOTD #IowaHistoryDaily #IowaHistoryCalendar