Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/693864
11 O n May 12, fiy years aer playing his final football game for the University of Iowa, Dave Long was presented an "I" Ring at the Carroll Area I-Club. An emotional Long, who played defensive end and tight end from 1963-65, received his ring from University of Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz. "I'm not an emotional guy, but when (director of development) Tom Moreland gave my intro- duction, I couldn't hold back my emotions," said Long. "Good things happen for good reasons, no matter how long it takes. ere is so much warmth in my heart." Long, who was born in Jefferson, Iowa, was a three-year letterman for the Hawkeyes. Aer his UI career, Long was selected 43rd overall in the 1966 NFL Dra by St. Louis. Iowa's 1965 Most Valuable Player was unable to receive his "I" Ring because he le for the Cardinals' training camp before the ceremony occurred in the spring of 1966. Long's professional career spanned seven seasons for the Cardinals and New Orleans Saints. e National Iowa Varsity Club provides the fund- ing for "I" Rings, which are presented to UI stu- dent-athletes at the end of their collegiate careers. e "I" Ring symbolizes hard work, sacrifice, and dedication it takes to be a Hawkeye. A couple years ago, Long made the trip from his current residence near Tucson, Arizona, to Coon Rapids, Iowa, where he befriended locals and UI graduates Charlie Nixon and Dan Pomeroy. Upon hearing Long's story of missing the "I" Ring cere- mony, Pomeroy, a national I-Club board member, spearheaded efforts to get Long his ring. "Last month, I got an email from Dan asking if I was going to make the trip North this year," Long said. "Dan said the I-Club was going to have a huge event and Kirk Ferentz was going to be the main speaker. at was all he had to say." Long says the four-year span at the University of Iowa was an exciting time in his life, but one of the things he regretted over the years was not coming back to receive his "I" Ring. "Being on the National I-Club Board, I knew who to contact," said Pomeroy. "e athletics depart- ment and Foundation responded because this is a great university. ey have compassion for their former players, graduates, and athletes like Dave Long. ey showed that in a sense of obligation to make things right for Dave." As much as Long is grateful for receiving his "I" Ring, he is thankful for having the opportunity to meet Ferentz. "I can't say enough about coach Ferentz," Long said. "Kirk's a great coach who runs a tremendous program. I see why he's so successful with student- athletes. It was a superb experience to have the opportunity to meet him." When the announcement was made, more than 500 Hawkeye fans erupted and gave Long a stand- ing ovation. "It was a great, emotional Hawkeye moment," said Pomeroy. Long is thankful for everyone who made it pos- sible for him to receive his "I" Ring. It's a moment he will cherish. "May 12 is a calendar day for me for the rest of my life," Long said.