Travis Hines named Des Moines Register's Iowa State Cyclones columnist

The Des Moines Register has a new Iowa State sports columnist, and it's a name Cyclone fans know well.

Travis Hines, longtime Cyclones beat writer, takes over the columnist position following Randy Peterson's April retirement after 52 years with the Register. Hines has covered Iowa State sports for more than a decade for the Ames Tribune and the Register.

“I am incredibly honored to be given the opportunity and responsibility that comes with this position," Hines said. "I want to thank (executive editor) Carol Hunter and (sports editor) James Kramer for giving me the chance to tell the stories of the Iowa State community as the Des Moines Register’s columnist. I’d also like to thank Randy Peterson for years of mentorship and friendship, and helping prepare me to do this job.

"I cannot wait to get started."

Des Moines Register Executive Editor Carol Hunter said she was thrilled to promote from within for such a key position.

"After years of covering Iowa State athletics, Travis knows the teams, the coaches, their histories and the stories fans are most interested in," Hunter said. "He's built a track record of years of fair, accurate coverage, and I look forward to seeing him tap his in-depth knowledge to offer insightful analysis and commentary in his new role."

Hines has covered every angle of Iowa State sports during his career, reporting extensively on the sustained excellence of the men's basketball program and the rebirth of the football program under coach Matt Campbell. His deep institutional knowledge and inquisitive nature will deliver a strong voice and smart analysis for Cyclone fans, said Sports Editor James Kramer.

You'll also see Hines write about women's basketball and wrestling, programs that have won big on the national stage and appear primed for breakout success in the years to come.

"It is a critical moment for both college sports broadly and Iowa State athletics specifically as a tidal wave of change is poised to drastically alter the entire landscape," Hines said. "I look forward to analyzing and documenting those changes and what they mean for the Cyclones. At the core, though, these will be stories about people – the athletes, coaches, administrators and fans who are Iowa State sports. Being able to chronicle their successes, challenges, opportunities and histories is what makes this job special, and that is something I try never to take for granted."

Hines grew up in Apple Valley, Minnesota, and is a University of Wisconsin-Madison alum. He and his wife, Rachelle, live in Des Moines with their three children.

Contact Travis Hines at thines@registermedia.com . Follow him on Twitter/X @TravisHines21

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Travis Hines named Des Moines Register's Iowa State Cyclones columnist