IOWA Magazine | 10-13-2023
What Does the Hawkeye Wave Mean to You?
By Ellen Yandel
1 minute read
Iowa fans share how they feel about what’s been called the greatest tradition in college sports.
PHOTO: UI OFFICE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
A pediatric patient and her family watch the Wave at Kinnick Stadium from inside the UI Stead Family Children's Hospital.
The Hawkeye Wave is intended to lift the spirits of pediatric patients—but its impact doesn’t stop there.
Every football game, Hawkeye fans take a moment after the first quarter to wave to the young patients in the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which overlooks Kinnick Stadium. The simple tradition, which started in 2017 after the hospital’s completion, has quickly found a special place in the hearts of patients and fans alike. Here’s what the Wave means to Hawkeyes:
It’s a heartwarming effort to let the children know we all are rooting for them. 🖤🏈💛🏈 Marci Eilers Korenberg
Clear Lake, Iowa
Hawkeye pride for everyone. We’re here for you! Sharing is caring. Jayne Hansen (84BSN, 94MA)
Iowa City
It’s wonderful. It lets those families know people care about them and what they’re going through. Coleen Melssen
Ankeny, Iowa
It means letting the kids and families know that we are sending them love and support. 🖤💛 Kristin Stack Hale (85BA)
Marion, Iowa
Hope and happiness to the children, knowing the community has their back. Jordan O’Donnell
Coralville
PHOTO: Justin Torner/UI OFFICE OF STRATEGIC COMMUNICATION
Fans, players, and coaches from both teams at Kinnick Stadium join together in the Hawkeye Wave to children and their families at the nearby UI Stead Family Children's Hospital.
It means a little bit of happiness to sick kids! And shows them we care. Cathy Gardner-Maher
Orland Park, Illinois
It’s FANTASTIC!!! Dave Nevenhoven
Hastings, Michigan
To me it means there will always be caring, empathy, and love in this world for those who need it most—and I’m not surprised this came from Iowa. Kim Anderson
Beaverton, Oregon
Iowans care! Elaine Lawrence
Ackley, Iowa
It’s the fans sending all their love and prayers for the kids! 🖤💛🖤💛 Jenny Peterson
Des Moines
What do you like about the Hawkeye Wave?
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