Long promotes book in Clear Lake

(Above) Chuck Long, a former University of Iowa quarterback, signed copies of his book at The Other Place in Clear Lake.  -Reporter photo by Chris Barragy

Former University of Iowa quarterback Chuck Long included Clear Lake on his book signing tour through the state last week.

“Chuck Long: Destined for Greatness: The Story of Chuck Long and Resurgence of Iowa Hawkeyes Football” was released last month.  Monday, Nov. 13, with the help of the North Iowa I-Club, Long stopped at The Other Place in Clear Lake to promote his book and the Iowa football program.

It was 1981 when the 6’4” Long signed on to play college football at Iowa.  Although viewed a very capable quarterback, the Wheaton, Ill., native had not been strongly recruited out of high school.  Iowa was one of three schools to offer Long a scholarship and Coach Hayden Fry saw the potential.  Even before Long took a snap as a Hawkeyes starter Fry proclaimed Long to be “destined for greatness.”  Long was just a sophomore at the time and was hardly a rising star in the eyes of sportswriters, fans or even competitors.

But it didn’t take long for the quarterback to make them believers in Fry’s assessment.  Long went on to play in five college bowl games, throw for more yards than any other quarterback in Big 10 history, finish as runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and be drafted in the First Round of the 1986 NFL Draft.

Today, Long serves as  CEO/Executive Director for the Iowa Sports Foundation, the organization that runs the Iowa Games, Senior Games and Live Healthy Iowa Challenge.