wa State Cyclone women’s basketball players Audi Crooks, Kelsey Joens, Addy Brown, and Alisa Williams have partnered with the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) in a new NIL (name, image, likeness) deal to promote pork. In a video released Monday, the four sophomores made an appearance at the ‘Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon’ tryouts, though they humorously declined to participate while expressing their love for pork. You can watch the video [here](insert link).
The Iowa Pork Producers Association is thrilled to collaborate with the Cyclone women’s basketball team and, as part of the partnership, will donate $1,000 worth of pork to each player’s chosen food pantry. The players’ selected food pantries are:
- Audi Crooks: Kossuth County Food Pantry in Algona, Iowa
- Kelsey Joens: First Church United Food Pantry in West Liberty, Iowa
- Addy Brown: Derby Community Food Pantry in Derby, Kansas
- Alisa Williams: Denton Community Food Center in Denton, Texas
Cyclone Stars and Their Pork Connection
Audi Crooks, a standout sophomore center from Algona, Iowa, made history last season as the first freshman All-American in Iowa State women’s basketball. This NIL deal is not her first interaction with the Iowa Pork Producers Association, as Crooks received the IPPA Top Producer Award for Class 1A during the 2023 Iowa girls’ state basketball tournament. Reflecting on the partnership, Crooks said, “It’s so cool to come full circle, from winning that award in high school to now partnering with Iowa Pork in this advertising campaign.”
Crooks, known for her exceptional basketball talent and charismatic personality, is excited to be part of the growing popularity of women’s basketball. “I think it’s about time,” Crooks remarked. “Women’s basketball has always been great, but now people are starting to notice. We have big hopes for this season, and there’s no limit to what we can achieve.”
Kelsey Joens, a sophomore guard from Iowa City, has a personal connection to the pork industry through her family’s restaurant, Joensy’s, where pork tenderloins are the signature dish. “I love pork tenderloins, so I was thrilled to be part of this partnership,” Joens shared. “Growing up in the family restaurant, I’ve always been surrounded by pork, and this is a natural fit for me.”
Sophomore forward Alisa Williams, hailing from Denton, Texas, couldn’t be more excited about promoting one of her favorite foods. “I’m so excited to be part of this,” Williams said. “I love bacon. I eat it every day!”
Addy Brown, a sophomore forward from Derby, Kansas, was also excited to join the promotion. “I’m really excited about this opportunity,” Brown shared. “I remember the ‘Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon’ promotion last year, and I thought it was hilarious, so it’s cool to now be part of the Iowa Pork team.”
Continuing the Pork Promotion
While the Cyclone women’s basketball players opted out of participating in the ‘Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon’ tryouts, the search for student-athletes to join the pork promotion continues. In a series of videos released every Monday at 10 a.m. through October 7, athletes Myles Purchase, Tyler Moore, Tommy Hamann, and Caleb Bacon serve as judges as their fellow student-athletes compete to join the pork roster. October marks National Pork Month, or “Porktober,” making this partnership a timely celebration of pork.
The Iowa Pork Producers Association is also donating $1,000 worth of pork to each player’s selected food bank to help fight food insecurity.
Fans can watch the ‘Purchase Moore Hamann Bacon’ videos on Iowa Pork’s social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube. The full video series is available [here](insert link).
Stay tuned to Swine Web for more updates on this exciting partnership and Iowa Pork’s efforts to promote the pork industry.
