Affinity for Cyclone Athletics Kicks Off Student Success

Terry Voy will never forget meeting former Iowa State University assistant football coach Arch Steele for the first time.

The encounter happened in the early 1960s when Voy was a high school football player in the Ackley–Geneva Community School District. One day, Steele marched into the school's locker room and introduced himself to Voy.

"It kind of floored me," Voy recalled. "I said 'What in the heck are you doing here?'"

Steele responded that he wanted to talk to him about the possibility of playing college football for Iowa State – a very exciting opportunity for Voy, as he wasn't planning on attending college because he couldn't afford it.

The chance to play a collegiate sport would alter everything. Voy ultimately received a football scholarship, enabling him to move to Ames and continue playing the sport he loved.

As a linebacker and member of special teams, Voy worked hard to become a three-year letter-winner. One of his favorite memories of being a Cyclone student-athlete was working out in State Gym during the winter, back when it had a dirt floor. He remembered leaving practice with dirt covering his face and body.

Voy received a bachelor's degree in physical education in 1969 and a master's degree in industrial education in 1980. He spent his career working in the school transportation sector, including as director of a project he helped start that created a driving simulation for school bus driver training. Voy also served as a school transportation consultant with the Iowa Department of Education for nearly 30 years and as the director of school transportation services for the Iowa Association of School Boards.

No matter where life has taken him and his wife, Sherry, the couple has remained loyal and avid Cyclone fans, holding season tickets to both football and basketball games.

For Voy, the choice to create a scholarship at Iowa State was guided by his desire to help student-athletes with a background similar to his – someone from a small Iowa school district who may otherwise be unable to afford school.

"I'm hoping it has an impact the same way it impacted me," he said. "We could see the good being done and the need for scholarships for incoming athletes, particularly football. We thought we would do something along those lines, so we established the Terry and Sherry Voy Football Scholarship."

The couple supports the scholarship through annual cash gifts and has made a gift in their estate to fund it in the future.

It's the Voys' belief that every dime helps, so they're committed to doing whatever they can to support Cyclone Athletics.

"It makes you feel good," Voy said of giving back. "It's easy, it's rewarding, and you won't regret it, so just do it."

Like Terry and Sherry Voy, you can change a student's life through your estate gift. Contact the office of gift planning at 800.621.8515 or giftplanning@foundation.iastate.edu to discuss your giving options.