In Larry they trust

ISU students continue rallying to support Eustachy

AMES, Iowa (AP) -- Iowa State University students demonstrated for the fourth time in two days Friday in support of Cyclone basketball coach Larry Eustachy, who was suspended in anticipation of being fired on Wednesday.

"This is unbelievable," said Tim Barnes, an ISU point guard. "The fans and students, how they are supporting Larry ... suspend him, reprimand him or whatever. I don't think [the university] should take his job away. Everybody is behind him."

Joined by members of the basketball team, about 300 students displayed pro-Eustachy T-shirts and posters as they protested outside the office of university President Greg Geoffroy.

On Monday, photos of Eustachy drinking with students at the University of Missouri were published in the Des Moines Register. Published reports said Eustachy had partied with college students in Columbia, Mo., and Manhattan, Kan., following basketball games.

Photos from the Missouri party show Eustachy holding a beer can while kissing and being kissed on the cheek by young women.

Athletic Director Bruce Van De Velde on Wednesday suspended Eustachy with pay and recommended terminating Eustachy's contract. That decision will stand unless Eustachy files an appeal by late Monday.

Eustachy's contract allows him to appeal Van De Velde's decision to Tahira K. Hira, an assistant to university President Gregory Geoffroy. Hira then would conduct a hearing and decide whether to uphold Van De Velde's recommendation.

Her decision could be appealed to Geoffroy.

Eustachy had revealed earlier Wednesday that he was an alcoholic and was undergoing treatment.

As much as Friday's event was a pro-Eustachy rally, it was also an anti-Van De Velde rally. Posters read "Bruce smells" and "Terminate Bruce." One poster featured a picture of Van De Velde's head on former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's body and the message, "Time for a Regime Change."

Clad in a black T-shirt that read "Larry's Clones" -- a mimic of Eustachy's signature black turtleneck -- Ward Webster said he stood behind the coach because of "everything he's done for the university" including "two appearances in the NCAA tournament."

Amanda Hjelmeland was the lone voice of opposition at the rally to Eustachy's return to the ISU basketball court.

"I believe what he did is wrong," said the ISU sophomore from Algona.

 

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