There is nothing sweet about college football … EXCEPT … “The Iowa Wave.”
It brings tears of joy to participants and viewers.
Last year The University of Iowa opened a beautiful tall, children’s hospital that towers above the Hawkeyes’ football field.
Parents and their frail children, often trailing IVs, often in wheelchairs, and nurses pushing mobile dialysis machines, press against windows to view home games.
But, that is not what opens the tear taps wide.
As word spread about the hospital opening, a fan posted on an Iowa website that something should be done for the kids.
Unexpectedly, at the end of the first quarter during the very first home game after the post, an announcer suggested fans turn away from the field and wave to kids in the hospital windows for a minute. All 80,000 did … fans, players and coaches from both teams, referees, TV crews, hot dog vendors. Everyone.
Many flipped on cell phone lights to send a double message of support.
“The Iowa Wave” now is repeated at each game.
Iowa City has become the heart of America’s Heartland.
PS: Yesterday my team (Iowa) beat Northern Iowa 38–14. To me, the win on the field was less important than the wins behind the windows.
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