Cy the Cardinal is the mascot of Iowa State University's sports teams. Because a cyclone was difficult to depict in costume, a cardinal was selected from the cardinal and gold of the official school colors. Iowa State was founded in 1854, but the university did not receive its mascot until 1954. A cardinal-like bird was introduced at the 1954 homecoming pep rally. A contest was conducted to select a name for the mascot, and the winning entry of Cy was submitted by 17 people. Over the last half century, Cy has undergone several makeovers and redesigns. The first Cy was approximately 8 feet tall with a bulging chest made mostly from chicken wire and aluminum. Cy was again transformed when ISU Athletics changed the school's logo and color combinations. Due to the size and weight of the original costume, there were some physical requirements for students who wanted to fill the role of Cy. Applicants needed to be 5’11” to 6’2” and weigh 175 to 210 pounds.