April 23, 2024

Former Hawkeye to appear in Creston

Chuck Long to greet fans at book signing event

Former Iowa Hawkeye quarterback Chuck Long will have copies of his book, "Destined for Greatness," available for personal signings during an appearance Nov. 26 at Southwestern Community College. (Contributed photo)

Creston Rotary Club is hosting former Iowa Hawkeye quarterback Chuck Long for a special presentation open to the community on Monday, Nov. 26.

Long will appear from 12:30 to 1 p.m. in Room 220 of the SWCC Instructional Center to share stories with fans and sign copies of his autobiographical book, “Destined for Greatness.” Earlier, Long will meet with Creston Rotary in Room 180.

Long played quarterback for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 1981-85 and holds numerous school, Big Ten and national passing records. During his appearance he will autograph and personalize copies of the book, greet and join in photos with guests and share memories of playing for Hawkeye football coaches Hayden Fry and Kirk Ferentz.

The event and program will begin at 12:30 p.m. Hardbound and softbound copies of the book will be available for $30 and $20, respectively.

“Destined for Greatness,” authored by Waukee Rotarian Aaron Putze, tells the story of Long’s career and resurgence of the University of Iowa football program under coach Hayden Fry. The journey is an inspiring one — from starring on the neighborhood playground as a youth growing up in Wheaton, Illinois, to his current role as CEO and executive director of the Iowa Sports Foundation.

The fast-paced narrative recounts the highs and lows of the Iowa football program’s struggle to reclaim national relevancy while Iowans endured the pain of the 1980s farm crisis. It also retraces the path from starring in Kinnick Stadium to the challenges Long faced in competing in the NFL, including his first start under the lights of Monday Night Football against the defending Super Bowl champion Chicago Bears.

“Destined for Greatness” includes personal accounts from coaches Fry and Ferentz, Iowa teammates Hap Peterson, Jonathan Hayes and Mark Vlasic, John Campbell (former KCRG-TV sports director), former Des Moines Register sports columnist Marc Hansen and former Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad.

Long holds the University of Iowa records for passing, completions, touchdown passes and total offense (game, season and career) and pass attempts in a season and career. He is still, more than three decades after his college career ended, the most accurate passer in Big Ten history (.649).