From the basketball court to the classroom
Jenny Hobbs reflects on Cyclone pride and teaching science in Keota
Interview recorded March 22
With the memories of the 2023-2024 Iowa State women’s basketball season (the 50th anniversary of the program) in the rear view mirror, it’s probably time to share another “Where are they now?” style interview.
“My first reaction to the 50th Anniversary was that since I played 30 years ago I was still kind of a pioneer,” Hobbs said. But even though I played 20 years into the program’s history my teams had so much more than the earliest teams due to Title IX. We flew everywhere, heck even to Normal, Illinois, to play Illinois State and to Lincoln and to Columbia. So I am so grateful for all the women that paved the way for the current program. I visited Ames for the Women’s Basketball Reunion 50th Anniversary Weekend. I am always at peace in Ames so it’s therapeutic to visit friends and be in Hilton.”
Jenny Hobbs, who appeared in 49 games, started two games, and won three letters between the years 1992-1994 for the Cyclones, shares her story.
These days, Hobbs lives in historic Keokuk County, located in southeast Iowa.
“I am living on an acreage on the city limits of Keota,” Hobbs said. “(I) Teach junior and high school science at Keota (only secondary science teacher so LOTS of preps). I gave up coaching varsity basketball when I had my son, Toby (8 yrs old), but coach junior high girls basketball and run the youth program. I also coach junior high boys and girls junior high track, assistant softball coach at Mid-Prairie, and will be the head volleyball coach this next fall at Keota.”
Hobbs grew up in Washington County, a county directly east of Keokuk. Those formative experiences influenced her teaching career.
“My parents always believed in me and never squashed any of my dreams no matter how silly,” Hobbs said. “I grew up just north of West Chester which is the smallest town associated with Mid-Prairie. So, we were very close knit and hung out all summer long. Either playing in town like in the movie Sandlot or coming out to my house and building forts or playing in the crick. Or going to the forbidden Wade’s Quarry to ride dirt bikes over the abandoned piles gravel. After second grade, the elementary in West Chester closed so we were then bussed to Wellman for school. At the time I went to Mid-Prairie we were a “smaller” school so we could participate in anything you wanted. I was in every sport plus FFA and band. I loved school and am very thankful for all my coaches and teachers for always encouraging me to be anything I wanted to be. Not once did I ever feel limited.”
“I had such a great childhood with so many experiences that I teach using examples and telling stories related to almost every scientific concept,” Hobbs added. “Every day I was either exploring the woods/crick around the farm or riding my bike to town to play any and every sport or caring for any animal that may cross my path.”
To expand upon Hobbs in the classroom, when asked “What are your favorite lessons and/or classroom experiments as a science teacher?,” she responded with the following:
“I love the unit we raise, tag, and release Monarch butterflies as I did research at Iowa State/USDA on how Bt corn affects the life cycle of the Monarch. I would have parents call their kids out of school because their butterfly at home was emerging. I also love giving the 7th graders the insect project where they need to pin 30 insects. It’s the first project they do and it gets parents involved and they gain a new appreciation for insects and the nature around them. And of course the unit where we build and launch model rockets!”
The most satisfying part of teaching to Hobbs is “When [students] realize science is not the enemy but the answer to better living and a better world (if we listen).”
Mid-Prairie memories
At Mid-Prairie (Wellman), Hobbs played basketball under the leadership of coach Jerry Nelson. A 1990 edition of The Wellman Advance shared that in the 1989-90 season finale for the Golden Hawkettes, Hobbs set a school record with six blocks against Iowa City Regina, the prior Mid-Prairie record--set by Jonni Wallerich-- was four shots swatted.
“Our boy’s basketball program was premier with Coach Don Showalter so we were always second fiddle,” Hobbs said. “A lot of the girls by high school would rather go watch their boyfriend’s play (we played at split sites) so our team struggled with numbers. Mr. Nelson cared so much us and taught us a lot of life lessons. One of which I teach kids all the time; always thank the person that makes you better. I have always thanked my coaches after a really good practice or thanked a teammate for pushing me that day.”
In addition to basketball, Hobbs took part in volleyball, track and field as well as softball at Mid-Prairie. With softball, Hobbs was named an honorable mention all-state utility following the 1991 season.
“I’m a huge advocate for athletes playing multiple sports,” Hobbs said. “Every sport teaches you something about yourself and can challenge you mentally. The mental aspect of the athlete is so very important. Powering through running an 800 trying to catch someone teaches you mental toughness. I also think it’s very important to play for different coaches because every one has a different style and philosophy which can all a part in your future mentality.”
Adventure at Iowa State
Hobbs’ basketball adventure at Iowa State started where the men’s basketball team held their home games between 1913 and 1936, State Gym. According to the 1994-95 women’s basketball media guide, Hobbs majored in animal science.
“The fall of my freshman year I was in State Gym checking out what intramurals I could sign up for and I saw a sign posted wanting managers for the Women’s Basketball Team,” Hobbs said. “I contacted a coach and they said ‘You’re hired.’ $100 for the entire season but I didn’t care at all. So I went to every practice had the floor of Hilton swept, practice jerseys laid out, and was shooting baskets before anyone would get there. That first year Pam Wettig was the head coach. Being the youngest manager I got to go on one road trip, to Oklahoma and Oklahoma State.”
“This is where is gets good…,” Hobbs added. “My sophomore year I actually tried out for the Iowa State softball team was cut towards the end and I was ok with that because I was still had my job as women’s basketball manager with new head coach Theresa Becker. Again I was always at Hilton way early, floor wet mopped, laundry placed in each locker and shooting with the players. The coaching transition was a little too much for a few of the players so they left the program, one became pregnant, and slowly injuries cut numbers. In just the 3rd/4th day of practice Coach Becker asked if I had ever thought about playing college basketball? I had as I grew up a die-hard Hawkeye fan loving Steve Carfino, Greg Stokes, Jeff Moe, Roy Marble, and BJ Armstrong. Well, she asked me if I would wan to join the team as a player. Of course!!! But my first thought was man am I out of shape! It was a tough transition but I loved every minute of it. That began my life as a walk-on. My senior year I was awarded a scholarship and named captain of the team.”
Hobbs, a Channel 5 Sports (Ames-Des Moines) “Chevy Player of the Week” her sophomore year, a Cyclone Gold Award (team spirit and enthusiasm) and a Bronze Medal (3.2-3.49 GPA) winner her junior year has several fun anecdotes from her playing days.
“My junior year the coaches had recruited hard and brought 12 freshmen in so the team was up to 17-18 players,” Hobbs said. “All great players and program changers, Tara Gunderson, Julie Hand, Jennifer Warner, Kim Martin, etc. Also at that time the athletic department was going though rough time financially. At practice before the Oklahoma road swing Coach told us that due to budget constraints not everyone would be traveling. If you are going your travel bag will be in front of your locker. I just knew I probably wasn’t going to go but walking into the locker room and not seeing my bag was heartbreaking. I went to the coaches locker room to tell them good luck and please call me with how the team did (this was before cell phones, etc). Later that night Coach called me and said ‘You’re going! We can’t go without our spark!’ So we took another plane. I would run through a wall for any of my teammates and coaches.”
“Since I was not very quick or athletic I would struggle getting open so I would just shoot from further out,” Hobbs added. “My range was 24-25 feet so they called that area Hobbyland. Gunderson and I were the original logo shooters!”
From Mid-Prairie, to women’s basketball manager to captain, Hobbs had an adventure at Iowa State full of memories for a lifetime.
“I am forever grateful for Coach Becker giving me a chance to live out my dream,” Hobbs said. “And thankful for great teammates that had to endure my super positive attitude and my farm girl stories. I want to also thank Coach Fennelly for welcoming me into his program. In the early years, I would make cookies for the team and drop them off at the offices. Assistant Coaches Frese, Abrahamson, and Pingeton would chat with me and ask about recruits in my area making me feel welcome. And the fans back then were just as loyal as they are now but luckily more of them. I still chat with fans that have been attending games since the 90’s.”
What a fun article to read. All the way from team manager to team captain. Wow! It just shows that persistence and dedication pay off! Way to go, Jenny!
Wonderful article. I sent it to all my relatives around Keota. Jenny and I are Facebook friends. Your articles are making a big difference students, staff and young women everywhere. Keep on writing !