The heartwarming Iowa Hawkeye Wave football tradition
A Lifetime of Joy: The Hawkeye Wave’s Impact on Stead Family Children’s Hospital
In just a minute, a wave of applause erupts at every Iowa home game, a tradition that has become a hallmark of the Heartland. The Hawkeye Wave, started in 2017, brings together over 70,000 fans and players in Kinnick Stadium, all turning to wave at the patients watching from the hospital windows next door. For these kids at the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital, this is the thrill of a lifetime.
A Joyful Tradition
The Hawkeye Wave is more than just a fun tradition – it’s a lifeline for families and a source of joy for the kids. Stacy and Neil Coleman’s son Atlas was a patient at the hospital, but now he’s cancer-free and one of this season’s kid captains, helping lead the way. When asked what it’s like to be on the receiving end of this kind of cheerleading from the community, Atlas’s parents couldn’t contain their gratitude.
"It’s an absolutely amazing gesture that says we are 70,000 people and we see you and we are sending you everything we have so that you can be strong and get through whatever challenges you’re facing," they said.
A Sense of Belonging
The Hawkeye Wave makes the patients feel like they’re part of the community, says Rachel Nstead, the hospital’s childlife program manager. "It makes them feel that they’re part of something bigger than themselves, that people are rallying behind them," she adds.
A Show of Unity
The Hawkeye Wave is a stunning show of unity, where for a few brief moments, everyone is on the same team. If there’s one message you could give to the Hawkeye Community, what would it be? According to Rachel, it would be: "Thank you. You don’t know how important it is to the families that are there who are looking for hope. It really does mean the world to them."
A Lifetime of Memories
For the kids at Stead Family Children’s Hospital, the Hawkeye Wave is a memory they’ll cherish forever. It’s a reminder that they’re not alone, and that the community is behind them every step of the way. So the next time you’re at an Iowa home game, be sure to join in on the wave – it might just bring a smile to a child’s face.
