Waldo Wegner

Who is Waldo Wegner?

Waldo Wegner was an American basketball player born in Everly, Iowa. Wegner was the first All-American in Iowa State college basketball history. Standing 6-4, Wenger was a civil engineering student at Iowa State when he answered an advertisement in the college newspaper to try out for the team.

His basketball jersey, number 14, was retired in 1992. He was the fifth player in Iowa State Cyclones men's basketball history to have his number retired. He shares the number 14 with Jeff Hornacek whose jersey was retired the year prior. In 2007, he was named to the Cyclones' "all-century" basketball team.

After graduating from Iowa State University in 1935, Wegner worked as a city engineer, director of public works, and city manager in several Iowa and Minnesota cities. He also served in the U.S. Navy from 1942 to 1945. In 1963, Wegner returned to Ames, Iowa to become the first director of the Center for Industrial Research and Service, appointed by then university President James H. Hilton, the namesake for Iowa State’s basketball arena. Wegner held that position until he retired in 1978.

Waldo was a member of the Sigma Chapter of Sigma Pi Fraternity when he attended Iowa State University. He remained active in the fraternity late into his life. The formal room at the Sigma Chapter House is named in his honor.