Chuck Long: Destined for Greatness: The Story of Chuck Long and Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes Football

The year is 1981. The U.S. space shuttle Columbia takes its first flight. Ronald Reagan becomes president and Muhammad Ali officially retires with 55 wins. “Raiders of the Lost Ark” debuts in theatres, the term “Internet” is first mentioned and Post It Notes are launched by 3M Corp. And the Iowa Hawkeyes are struggling mightily to gain respectability on the football field after decades as a Big Ten Conference doormat. Hayden Fry, a larger-than-life character and river boat gambler with Texas roots, had arrived in Iowa City in 1979. Now, in his all-important third year as head coach, it’s make-or-break time for a man doggedly determined to transform a beleaguered program into a national powerhouse. While the team has many needs, one of the most important is a strong leader at quarterback. Unexpectedly, Hayden and his staff sign a blonde-haired, six-foot-four quarterback named Chuck Long. Safe to say the son of Charlie and Joan Long was as much a mystery to Iowa fans as winning. Only two other universities offered Chuck a scholarship – Northwestern and Northern Illinois. The lack of suiters wasn’t surprising. Chuck averaged just a handful of throws per start as a high school signal caller for a Falcons team coached by Jim Rexilius. Even in Wheaton North’s 14–6 victory over LaSalle-Peru in the 1979 4A Illinois state football championship game, Chuck completed just one of four passes for minus-three yards. Now, Chuck Long is an Iowa Hawkeye. And as he waits to make first team as quarterback, Coach Hayden Fry takes to the microphones as the 1982 campaign approaches and, in front of a gaggle of reporters, proclaims the sophomore-to-be as “destined for greatness.” Reporters are nearly speechless. Hawkeye fans are bewildered. Chuck Long? Destined for greatness? Chuck Long – the same kid who hasn’t taken a snap as a starter? Yep, that Chuck Long. The QB responds to the high praise from his head coach by taking the field just weeks later in his first start against the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln only to get bruised, battered and benched in a 42-7 drubbing. One week later, the Hawkeyes host in-state rival Iowa State and lose again as Chuck watches from the sidelines. So much for the “destined for greatness” talk. Then again, Chuck Long isn’t your ordinary quarterback and Hayden Fry isn’t your ordinary coach. In a twist of fate not even Hollywood could script, Chuck and the Iowa Hawkeyes quickly right the ship and set sail on a voyage that would ultimately take them (and the state of Iowa) into the national spotlight. At the heart of it all was a once-obscure quarterback who played for a high school football program that featured the run – a quarterback that would become Iowa’s most celebrated signal callers, play in an unprecedented five college bowl games, throw for more yards than any other quarterback in Big Ten history, finish runner-up for the Heisman Trophy to a kid named Bo from Auburn University and hear his name called in the first round of the 1986 NFL Draft. Sound too good to be true? Not if you’re destined for greatness. * * * “I have been around great, great people all my life. I’ve associated with great players and great coaches. I’ve taught history and I know a little about the qualities of great people in history. It was just so evident to me that Chuck Long had all the qualities you find in great people. I could just see it.” Iowa Coach Hayden Fry on his first impressions of Wheaton North’s Chuck Long (“Chuck Long: an eye on greatness,” by Ken Fuson, Des Moines Register, Sept. 2, 1984)

Putze, Aaron

Biographies & Memoirs

Business Publications Corporation Inc.

It’s 1981 and the Iowa Hawkeyes are struggling for football respectability after decades of losing. Coach Hayden Fry needs a talented quarterback to right the ship. Unexpectedly, he signs a lightly recruited QB from run-dominated Wheaton (Illinois) North High and proclaims him “destined for greatness” before even taking a snap. After getting bruised, battered and benched in a 42-7 drubbing by Nebraska in his first start,Chuck Long proves his coach prophetic by throwing for more yards than any other quarterback in Big Ten history, finishing runner-up for the Heisman to a kid named Bo and hearing his name called as the 12th overall pick in the ‘86 NFL Draft. And that’s just for starters. Sound too good to be true? Not if your destined for greatness.

Business Publications Corporation

YOU are destined for greatness. 
Yes, you. 
And your best friend, spouse, neighbor, and co-worker. 
And the person standing next to you preparing to board the 6 a.m. red-eye from Des Moines to Chicago. 
Greatness is there for us to grab hold of. What’s exciting is that it comes in all forms and callings: from being an awesome parent, helpful classmate, valued colleague, or nationally recognized athlete to holding elected office, earning a diploma, leading a not-for-profit, or starting a business. 
The opportunity for fulfillment that comes with doing remarkable things is ever present, provided we want it bad enough to work for honestly. Best of all, we can lead from where we’re at and at this very moment. That’s empowering! That’s awesome! 
This book can help. 
 “John Quincy Adams is credited with saying, ‘[i]f your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.’ That is exactly what Aaron Putzecaptures in ‘You Are Destined for Greatness.’ This book features leadership advice and lessons learned from a wide variety of Iowa leaders, many of whom I have had the distinct opportunity to work with directly on a wide range of projects and initiatives. The wisdom shared through this eclectic collection of personal stories is designed to inspire greatness in others.” 
Jay Byers, Chief Executive Officer, Greater Des Moines Partnership

You Are Destined For Greatness: Stories of Inspiration & Empowerment

Religion & Spirituality

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Putze, Aaron. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Putze, Aaron

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Putze, Aaron. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Chuck Long: Destined for Greatness: The Story of Chuck Long and Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes Football

Chuck Long: Destined for Greatness: The Story of Chuck Long and Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes Football

You Are Destined For Greatness: Stories of Inspiration & Empowerment