September 2, 2017 – What ESPN Sports calls the “best tradition in college sports” – The Hawkeye Wave – debuts in Kinnick Stadium. The Wave unites fans and players alike in acknowledging the patients and their families at the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

When the Kinnick Stadium clock hits zero, at the end of the first quarter, 70,000+ football fans turn their attention from the football field to UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital – located across the street on Hawkins Drive. In unison, they wave to the pediatric patients and their families gathered on the 12th floor overlooking the field.

The idea for this amazing tradition began when Krista Young suggested on Facebook that Hawkeye fans should wave to the children at the newly-opened children’s hospital during games. The idea gained momentum, and at the end of a scoreless first quarter against Wyoming in the home opener of the 2017 season, the first ‘Hawkeye Wave’ took place.

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