The ‘Hawkeye Wave’ has been named the Best College Sports Tradition by USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Award for a second consecutive year. The tradition, which started in 2017, involves more than 70,000 fans at Kinnick Stadium turning to wave at pediatric patients and their families watching from the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital after the first quarter of each home football game.
This gesture has become a significant part of college sports culture nationwide. The University of Iowa and the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital have worked together on initiatives supporting young patients even before the start of the Hawkeye Wave. In 2009, they launched the Kid Captain program to honor pediatric patients and share their stories. Each home game features a Kid Captain who is recognized with a commemorative jersey, special acknowledgment from both the hospital and football team, and unique experiences behind the scenes. The Kid Captain also selects a song to be played during the Hawkeye Wave.
Other traditions recognized included Mississippi State’s Cowbell, Oklahoma’s Sooner Schooner, Texas A&M’s The 12th Man, and Virginia Tech’s Enter Sandman.
“The Wave began in 2017 and has quickly become one of the most beloved college sports traditions across the nation. The University of Iowa, along with the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital have collaborated on initiatives supporting young patients long before the distinguished Wave. In 2009, the Kid Captain program was introduced to honor these patients and share their inspirational stories. Each home Iowa football game features a Kid Captain, who receives a commemorative jersey, special recognition from both the hospital and the football team, and opportunities for behind-the-scenes experiences. Along with that, each Kid Captain chooses what song is played in Kinnick Stadium during the Hawkeye Wave.”
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