Seven Reasons Why Hawkeyes Melt for the Carver Cone

PHOTO: Seth Deihl Hawkeye fans wait for their favorite game-day treat during Senior Day for the Iowa women's basketball team.

For many fans, no trip to Carver-Hawkeye Arena is complete without a Carver Cone. Around 75,000 servings of the frozen treat are sold each winter sports season. But what is it about this seemingly simple soft serve that draws fans in droves and rises in popularity as outdoor temperatures plummet? Iowa Magazine sought the inside scoop from fans, as well as Mark Duffy and Jordan Lewis (21BA) of Aramark, a food services provider for Hawkeye Athletics. Here are their seven reasons why Hawkeyes melt for the Carver Cone.

1.It’s a game-day tradition.

Nearly 48 hours before the doors open to Carver-Hawkeye Arena, maintenance technicians reassemble the eight ice cream machines. A shipment of locally produced Carver Cone mix arrives the next day to be poured into each machine six hours before fans arrive. Fifteen minutes before the arena’s opening, the machines are turned on, activating their refrigeration system. The mix flows into freezing cylinders, where it’s agitated and rapidly frozen to create soft-serve ice cream. Soon after, Carver’s doors open, mobile ticket scanners chime, and lines form at the arena’s four ice cream stands.

2.The environment whets the appetite.

The Carver game-day experience evokes so many memories that stir a longing for this nostalgic treat. While the Carver Cone is offered at other Hawkeye sports venues, it’s most popular in the arena it’s named after. The dessert sells best at women’s basketball games, where nearly 170 gallons of ice cream are served per game. “No matter how old you are, it seems to bring back the kid in you when you get your cone,” says Duffy.

3.Its word-of-mouth marketing is unrivaled.

Though the Carver Cone is outsold by a few other concession items, it stands out as one of the most beloved game-day treats in the Big Ten. “From my experience, no one’s signature item quite has the impact that the Carver Cone has,” says Duffy.

4.You can always switch it up.

Raspberry-chocolate twist is the most popular flavor combination, followed by raspberry and the classic vanilla-and-chocolate twist. Each year, a special advance order is made for the raspberry flavoring produced by a small Midwest company that closes for the winter. Aramark doubled its order this season, ensuring the flavor’s now available at every Carver Cone station.

5.There’s a commitment to quality and service.

The late Pete Rourke, who is said to have coined the term Carver Cone, was a concessions manager for Aramark and a fixture in Carver-Hawkeye Arena concessions for nearly 40 years. He set a high standard that lives on today. While the ice cream machine’s blades can last up to a year, Aramark replaces them every few weeks to maintain quality through high production.

6.Even fan-favorite athletes indulge.

Former student-athletes ranging from Kate Martin (22BS, 24MA) and Gabbie Marshall (23BA) to San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (16BA) have been spotted at Carver-Hawkeye Arena savoring this satisfying sweet. The treat also makes frequent appearances in photos and videos on social media.

7.You’re supporting a good cause.

Community volunteers staff the Carver Cone machines, and proceeds help support the local causes these volunteers represent. Duffy says there’s an art to crafting the Carver Cone that takes dozens of tries to perfect. So even if your cone is a little crooked, fear not, it tastes just as good.