Do the Wave! 70,000 Iowa Football Fans Wave To Kids In Hospital Across Street From Stadium
1010 WINS -- Children staying at a hospital in Iowa got a warm welcome from 70,000 people!
University of Iowa football fans just created an amazing new tradition: At the start of the season, fans wave at the University of Iowa's Stead Family Children's Hospital across the street from the stadium.
Our first #KidCaptain, Jaelyn Butikofer (Manchester, IA) kicked off the .@hawkeyefootball season with a win! #GoHawks #Hawkeyes #Kinnick pic.twitter.com/jlucLlVpRg
— UI Stead Family Children's Hospital (@UIchildrens) September 3, 2017
The sold out arena was eager to greet the young children and it was clear just how much the new tradition meant to the kids.
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In a Facebook post, one mom wrote, "The Hawkeyes have a new tradition that after the first quarter they have everyone in the stands wave at the kids in the hospital... Skye even made a picture of her name to put in the window."
The team has a longstanding partnership with the hospital including their program, "Touchdown for Kids" which encourages fans to donate for every touchdown the team scores. Last year, the program raised over $42,000 for the hospital.
From all of us to all of you...thank you #Hawkeyes! #NewTradition #IowaProud .@hawkeyefootball .@TheIowaHawkeyes .@TheHawkHeaven ,@bigten pic.twitter.com/twt56eaRvl
— UI Stead Family Children's Hospital (@UIchildrens) September 3, 2017
The heartfelt waves must have been good luck, because Iowa won the game 24-3 over Wyoming.
Talk about a touchdown all around!
-Kayla Jardine