Hawkeye Wave
The Hawkeye Wave also known as the "Iowa Wave" and "Kinnick Wave" is a sports tradition from 2017, started by the Iowa Hawkeyes football team fans, at Kinnick Stadium. According to tradition at the end of the first quarter the fans, teams, coaches and staff turn towards the 12th floor of the nearby University of Iowa Children's Hospital, waving to the children and their families standing by the window.
History
[edit]In 2017 the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital was completed with its 12th floor window overlooking the Kinnick Stadium.[1][2][3][4] One of the team’s fans came up with the idea he later suggested on a sports discussion forum. The idea was accepted by the university and game fans.[5] The first time the wave was performed was during the 2017 college football season, quickly becoming a regular gesture during home games.[6]
Description
[edit]The Hawkeye wave takes place at the end of the first quarter, as stadium screen and announcement encourage everyone to take part. About 70,000 people in the stands and team players, coaches, officials and stuff members then turn waving towards the hospital’s 12th floor window. There standing are children and their families standing in designated area viewing the gesture.[3][7] From 2017 to 2022 as everyone is waving, stadium's PA system plays “Wave on Wave,” by Country music singer Pat Green. Since 2022 the Kid Captain at every home Hawkeye Football game, selects the song that will be heard during the Hawkeye wave.[2]
Reception and significance
[edit]The Hawkeye wave claimed national praises form news networks, commentators, and fans as an example of sportsmanship and community engagement. Players and fans of opposite teams take part in this tradition, that has been described as a notable tradition of college football.[1][7]
Rewards
[edit]The Hawkeye wave tradition won the 2017 Disney's Wide World of Sports Spirit Award.[3]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "College football traditions: 'Hawkeye Wave' bonds everyone in stadium with kids in adjacent hospital". AP News. 2025-09-12. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- 1 2 "The Hawkeye Wave". Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics - Official Athletics Website. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- 1 2 3 "Iowa asking fans to nominate new song for Hawkeye Wave". Iowa Hawkeyes Athletics - Official Athletics Website. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- ↑ Sherman, Mitch; reporter, Nebraska/Big Ten/Recruiting; in 2011, Joined ESPN; Nebraska, Graduated from the University of (2017-09-18). "Inside college football's coolest new tradition: Iowa's hospital wave". ESPN. Retrieved 2026-05-05.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ Saunders, Forrest (2017). "Meet the woman who helped make 'The Wave' happen". Retrieved 2026-05-05.
- ↑ Yandel, Ellen (2023). "What Does the Hawkeye Wave Mean to You?".
- 1 2 "College Football Traditions: 'Hawkeye Wave' Bonds Everyone in Stadium With Kids in Adjacent Hospital". 2025.