Go Hawks!

A battle for bragging rights within the state takes place tomorrow afternoon. The time for the Iowa Hawkeyes and Iowa State Cyclones to meet on the grid iron is less than twenty-four hours away. Having spent a large portion of my life in the state of Iowa, I have been actively engaged in this rivalry for many years. I look forward to this Saturday each year and have enjoyed the years when I have actually been in the stadium to watch the game. This is one afternoon when the state is clearly divided.

I am a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes. I actually became a fan when I was in grade school. Probably the main reason I am a Hawkeye fan is that one of my friends and class rivals was a Cyclone fan. I grew up watching the Hawkeyes play football on television. Ames was closer to my hometown than Iowa City but that did not matter. I dreamed of going to Kinnick Stadium and watching them play. While in high school, I actually did get to experience that dream. Since my band director was a graduate of the University of Iowa, our band was invited to participate in an event during one of the games. Not only did I get to watch the Hawkeyes play football in the stadium but I also was able to march on the field with other high school bands and the University’s marching band.

I would not be given an opportunity to return to Kinnick Stadium for another football game until almost twenty years later. After having graduated from college, spending time in Nebraska, returning to the state for my Master’s degree, going back to Nebraska, and then moving to central Iowa, I was able to obtain two tickets for my wife and I to go watch the Hawkeyes beat Wisconsin. Then it would be a few years later before I obtained season tickets for Hawkeye football games. I loved the atmosphere of game day. There is nothing quite like being in the stadium with all the energy and traditions.

Now living in Texas, I no longer have the opportunity to watch the Hawkeyes live. Instead, my husband and I go to a local bar where a group of Hawkeye fans and alumni gather to cheer on the Hawks each game day. We will head there tomorrow and cheer for another Hawkeye victory. The group is a lot of fun. One of the members even brings a sound system so he can play music by the Iowa Hawkeye Marching Band which is usually played in the stadium. Each touchdown is followed by the playing of the fight song as we clap and sing along just like what is happening at the live game. On special games, one of the members makes banana pudding which tastes great and is the color of one of the team’s colors.

Before this game and after this game, I will cheer for the Iowa State Cyclones. I truly do wish they have a successful season. However, on this Saturday, my only desire is that the Hawkeyes win and the Cyclones lose. I leave you with a few lines which I hope we sing a lot tomorrow:

The word is “Fight! Fight! Fight! for IOWA, “

Let every loyal Iowan sing;

The word is “Fight! Fight! Fight! for IOWA, “

Until the walls and rafters ring (rah! rah!)

Come on and cheer, cheer, cheer for IOWA,

Come on and cheer until you hear the final gun.

The word is “Fight! Fight! Fight! for IOWA, “

Until the game is won.

GO HAWKS!!!