Kyle Konrardy, a kicker for Iowa State University, is using his status as a prominent college football player to make a positive impact in his community. Recently, he presented a check for $500 to the Dubuque Community School District to benefit its school lunch program.
Konrardy raised the funds through a collaboration with District 20 Supply Company, which launched an apparel line featuring his image after he broke a school record with a 63-yard field goal earlier this season. “Right now, I know the government is going through a lot of stuff, so being able to give back to people who are in need means a lot to me,” Konrardy stated. “It”s always just cool to help out in the community. (The DCSD) obviously helped me get to where I am today. Who knows where I”d be without them? I grew up here and I”ve been here my whole life, so it means a lot to be able to give back to them.”
The apparel included various styles featuring a depiction of Konrardy kicking a football alongside the words “From 63” and his signature. In Iowa State”s home opener this season, the redshirt sophomore achieved a significant milestone by breaking a 50-year-old record for the longest field goal in school history with a 63-yarder just before halftime against South Dakota. This kick ranks as the second-longest in Big 12 history, following Martin Gramatica”s 65-yarder for Kansas State in 1998. It also marked the longest field goal recorded at Jack Trice Stadium and was only the third field goal of 63 yards or more in FBS history since 2000.
For his record-setting performance, Konrardy earned the first of two consecutive Big 12 Conference special teams player of the week awards. The following week, he was honored with the Burlsworth Trophy Walk-On of the Week award and was named one of three “Stars of the Week” for the Lou Groza Award after his game-winning 54-yard field goal against rival Iowa in a 16-13 victory.
Konrardy had previously made a 54-yard field goal in the closing moments of last season”s game at Kinnick Stadium, which also resulted in a win over the Hawkeyes. This achievement earned him the first of three special teams player of the week awards during his career.
Once again this season, Konrardy is utilizing his success on the field to support the Count the Kicks initiative, a campaign aimed at preventing stillbirths by educating expectant parents about monitoring their baby”s movements during the third trimester. Athletes involved with Count the Kicks gather pledges for every successful kick, punt, or score they achieve in games. Last season, Konrardy raised $2,143 for the cause, leading the Cyclones in scoring with 109 points and averaging $19.66 per point based on fan pledges. He is on track to raise $2,739 this season based on current pledges.
Konrardy credits his motivation to give back to the influence of Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell. “Coach Campbell is a great football coach, but one of his main missions is to help us grow into great men and great people away from the football field,” he said. “He emphasizes that we be disciplined and always do the right things, and that”s helped me realize how important it is to give back to people who need it.”
This season, Konrardy has successfully converted 11 of 15 field goal attempts and 12 of 14 extra points, despite facing a leg injury that sidelined him for over a month. Throughout his career, he has made 32 of 43 field goal attempts in 21 games played.
With a record of 6-4 and 3-4 in the Big 12, Iowa State became bowl eligible after their recent victory over TCU. Following a bye week, the Cyclones are set to host Kansas before concluding the regular season on November 29 against Oklahoma State. “We”re on our last stretch of the season, so hopefully we can finish strong, even though we had that little rough patch in the middle,” Konrardy remarked. “We”ll get there.”
