The “Iowa Wave” is one of the best traditions in all of college football — and certainly the most heart warming.
The Hawkeyes kicked off their 2021 season with a huge Big Ten conference matchup against the Indiana Hoosiers on Saturday. And with the return of Iowa football this afternoon, so returned this beautiful tradition in Kinnick Stadium.
The “Iowa Wave” first began on September 2, 2017 during the Hawkeyes game against the Wyoming Cowboys, per CBS2Iowa.com. From then on, this tradition has lived on as 70,000+ fans in Kinnick Stadium all turn to face the Iowa Stead Children’s Hospital at the end of the first quarter — waving to patients in the hospital’s top floor that overlooks each home game.
During last year’s COVID-19 season, Iowa fans continued this tradition virtually, but it just wasn’t the same. Nothing could replace the touching sight of thousands of fans in Kinnick showing their support for these young patients.
The Hawkeyes are putting on quite the show for the fans both in and out of the stadium. Heading into the second half against the Hoosiers, the home team lead 31-3.
Hopefully this heartwarming “Iowa Wave” tradition continues on for years to come.