Iowa football’s ‘Hawkeye Wave’ wins best college sports tradition in USA Today poll

The Wave is when players and fans after the first quarter turn their attention from the field to the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital overlooking Kinnick Stadium and wave to pediatric patients and their families watching the game. The tradition began in 2017 and has become one of the most beloved college sports traditions across the nation.

The University of Iowa, along with the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, have collaborated on initiatives supporting young patients long before the distinguished Wave, according to a UI press release. In 2009, the Kid Captain program was introduced to honor these patients and share their inspirational stories. Each home Iowa football game features a Kid Captain, who receives a commemorative jersey, special recognition from both the hospital and the football team and opportunities for behind-the-scenes experiences.

Each Kid Captain also chooses what song is played in Kinnick Stadium during the Hawkeye Wave.

Honorable mentions for the award include the Army-Navy Game, Purdue’s Big Bass Drum, and Wisconsin’s Jump Around, Texas A&Ms The 12th Man, Virginia Tech’s Enter Sandman and Script Ohio.