CHAOS IN IOWA: Just 30 Minutes After the Final Buzzer, Audi Crooks Suddenly Went Missing — And When Coach Bill Fennelly Finally Called Back, the Truth Left Fans in Tears
A wave of shock swept through the Iowa State community late last night as confusion and fear surrounded the sudden, unexplained disappearance of star center Audi Crooks shortly after the Cyclones’ emotional home game. What began as a routine post-game evening transformed into a frantic search that left teammates shaken, coaches scrambling, and fans glued to their screens waiting for updates.
The events unfolded rapidly, almost unpredictably, in a way that felt ripped from a dramatic sports thriller. And yet, for thousands of fans, this was not fiction. This was a real, terrifying moment involving one of the most beloved athletes in Iowa State history.
A Night That Should Have Ended in Celebration
The Cyclones had just concluded one of their most gripping matchups of the season. The atmosphere inside Hilton Coliseum had been electric. Fans screamed, sang, and stomped the bleachers as Audi Crooks delivered one of her strongest performances of the year. She walked off the court with the warm, almost glowing smile she had become known for — a smile that often felt like a reassurance to the entire arena.
But only minutes after the final buzzer, something went wrong.
According to family members, Crooks typically sends a quick message after every home game. A simple “I’m okay,” or “Heading out now.” It was a tradition rooted in love and safety, one she had never once broken. But last night, that message never came. Five minutes passed. Then ten. Then twenty. No calls. No texts. No indication of where she was or why she hadn’t reached out.
By the thirty-minute mark, worry had escalated into fear.
“We just couldn’t reach her. It wasn’t like her. Not at all,” one family member said, describing the moment panic began to set in. “We kept calling. Nothing.”
The Silent Phone That Sparked Panic
In the world of Division I athletics, post-game routines are almost sacred. Players shower, meet with coaches, talk with media, and reconnect with family. Communication lines are always open. Which is why, when attempts to contact Crooks repeatedly failed, her family immediately reached out to the one person who would know her whereabouts: Iowa State head coach Bill Fennelly.
What happened next only deepened the mystery.
At first, Fennelly didn’t answer either. It wasn’t unusual — head coaches are often inundated with obligations after a game — but in that moment, every unanswered ring carried weight. By the time he finally returned the call, the family described the atmosphere as “full panic.”
Fans know Fennelly as calm, steady, even stoic, but according to family members, the tone of his voice was different. Heavy. Concerned. And most startling of all — he also didn’t know where Crooks was.
A Search Begins Inside Hilton Coliseum
What followed was a chaotic scramble through the bowels of the arena. Staff checked locker rooms, training facilities, private hallways, and even the bus loading zones. Teammates retraced steps, calling her name, trying her phone, searching corridors that moments earlier had buzzed with post-game energy and were now eerily quiet.
The arena that had exploded with applause only an hour earlier now echoed with tension.
At one point, a teammate described feeling a “sharp punch of dread” after discovering that Crooks’ locker was empty — her shoes gone, her bag missing — but no one had seen her leave.
Outside, fans were still lingering in the parking lot, unaware of what was happening behind the scenes. Many were replaying highlights on their phones, celebrating her performance, completely unaware of the unfolding crisis involving the very player they were cheering for.
The Call That Changed Everything
Nearly an hour after she first went missing, Coach Fennelly’s phone rang.
It was Crooks.
Witnesses say he stepped away the moment he saw her name appear on the screen, bracing for the worst. When he answered, his expression reportedly shifted — first confusion, then relief, then something far more emotional.
Crooks was safe.
But what she revealed stunned everyone.
According to those close to the situation, Crooks had been overwhelmed after the game — physically, mentally, emotionally. For weeks, she had been carrying the weight of expectation, pressure, fan scrutiny, and the unforgiving pace of the college basketball season. She hadn’t vanished out of physical danger. She simply needed space — a moment away from the noise, the lights, the demands.
She had walked out quietly, unnoticed in the chaos, and sat alone in a secluded corner of the arena normally used only by staff. Her phone had died. She didn’t hear the calls. She didn’t see the messages. She just needed to breathe.
What she didn’t realize was how quickly her disappearance would send shockwaves through everyone who loved her.
The moment she learned people were searching for her, she immediately called Coach Fennelly, apologizing repeatedly, visibly shaken that she had unintentionally caused panic.
Fans React With Relief — and Compassion
As word spread that Crooks was safe, fans flooded social media with messages of relief, support, and understanding. Many praised her transparency and vulnerability. Others urged the university to provide additional emotional and mental support for student-athletes navigating the pressures of high-level competition.
“We sometimes forget these young women are human,” one fan wrote. “They carry so much. Audi has given this school everything. I hope she knows how much we care.”
Another fan added, “This was a scare, but maybe it opens our eyes. Athletes aren’t machines. They aren’t invincible. They deserve space to breathe.”
Moving Forward
In a statement early this morning, Iowa State officials confirmed that Crooks is safe and with her family. They emphasized that player well-being is the program’s top priority and that additional support systems will be reinforced in the coming days.
As for Crooks, she is expected to rejoin the team soon, though no official timeline has been given. What is clear, however, is that last night’s incident has already become a powerful reminder of the unseen pressures athletes carry.
A night that began with roaring applause ended in silent reflection.
And yet, for fans across Iowa, the most important truth is simple: Audi Crooks is safe.
And sometimes, that alone is enough to bring an entire community to tears.