A Corridor Fourth

When the Fourth of July falls on a Sunday, one would think this holiday would take on a relaxing feel to it. But that was not the case as we were supportive of the Iowa City - Cedar Rapids corridor.

After finishing the 8K, all eyes were turned toward Colin as he entered the Cedar Rapids Alliant Fun Run. This year he wanted to run the route by himself and he did quite well. Althought times and places are recorded, this year's effort was more impressive over his frist year in 2009

On the way back was the Ely Fireman's Breakfast. Nothing says small town on a Sunday than a Fireman's Breakfast. Ely was much success with this outing, and the weather had to contribute to a larger crowd in 2010.

It was then on to the Coralville Fourth of July parade. Typically this annual tradition takes place in the morning, but with it falling on a Sunday, the City of Coralville didn't want to mess with the Sunday Church schedule.

And finally, to end the non-stop action was the Iowa City Jazz Festival on the University of Iowa Pentacrest.

Corridor Classic

Eastern Iowa's Corridor Classic began seven years ago as an opportunity for the two Division I baseball programs to play in one of the nicer minor league facilities. Cedar Rapids and Memorial Stadium seemed like a natural fit for the Northern Iowa Panthers to meet the University of Iowa Hawkeyes. Over the years the weather has been questionable, but fans turned out to see a good game showcasing the state's best talent.

But in 2010 the Corridor Classic would change with the elimination of Northern Iowa's baseball program. The Hawkeyes had to find a new opponent if they wanted to keep this annual game alive. The natural fit was Coe College of Cedar Rapids, but the Kohawks are a Division III team, attempting to play with the Division I Hawkeyes. However as the game progressed it was obvious to see the difference in talent between the two schools. The Kohawks took an early 3-0 lead after the top of the first, but the Hawkeyes had a solid response. In the bottom of the inning the Hawkeyes took a 6-3 lead and continued to add to it as the score became 14-3 after three innings--the moment we decided to return home.

This battle of teams had much the same look as Corridor Classics of the past. Cheerleaders represented each team (and what doesn't say baseball more than cheerleaders?) as well as a good representation of fans from each school. Former Hawkeye womens basketball player, and current Coe head coach, Randi Peterson joined Iowa Associate Head Women's Coach Jan Jensen to throw out the first pitch.

However on this night we found out what a "Kohawk" looked like...and it isn't pretty. Of course you want your mascot to look tough, formidible and powerful. But this Kohawk is downright scarry. He looks more like a cross between Benjamin Franklin and a bird. I can't imagine how bad the other attempts were made a coming up with a costume, but let's hope they didn't waste much money coming up with this one.

And the other Cedar Rapids school was represented in the ballpark Tuesday night. Mount Mercy had a prominent billboard on the left field fence, while Iowa's adorned the right-center fence. Coe's marketing seemed to be absent in Memorial Stadium. Perhaps they were all out of money after designing the mascot's costume.

40 Under 40

At the Cedar Rapids Marriott the Corridor Business Journal of the Cedar Rapids / Iowa City area held their 40 Under 40 Award Dinner. Among those in the 2009 class was my wife, Dana Engelbert who currently is Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations for Goodwill of the Heartland.

The Goodwill of the Heartland encompasses the southeast Iowa district consisting of Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Davenport.

A Day in Cedar Rapids

With a night game comes much time to wait for the evening's kick-off. The Iowa Football team began their 24hrs of preparation by taking in Zombieland Friday night followed by a short team meeting and snack at the team's hotel.

Prior to every home game the Honorary Captain addresses the team. For the 2009 Homecoming encounter with Michigan, former Iowa Quarterback and position coach, Chuck Long filled the role and spoke to the team in Cedar Rapids. Chuck spoke on the impressive showings he has seen of this year's edition of the Hawkeyes as well as memories he has of defeating the Maize and Blue of Michigan.
Among position meetings, meals and time to watch much football former Iowa Football Running Back, Trevor Bollers gave an inspirational speech to interested members of the team. Bollers currently lives in North Liberty and has three kids.

A Practical Joke that Worked

For 11 years I have been trying to pull the same practical joke, but to no avail. Here is the set-up:

Friday nights prior to home football games the Iowa Football team stays at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Downtown Cedar Rapids. Those with the team on this night are coaches, medical personnel and myself, the video guy. Immediately upon arrival the team proceeds to the top floor for dinner. As you can see by the adjacent photo players are divided up into round tables of 8. Typically players sit with one another, coaches sit among themselves with the Head Coach, Coordinators and Graduate Assistants at their own table in the corner. Near them sit the medical and video staffs.

Prior to the team's arrival I drive to Cedar Rapids with a different student on my staff to set up video equipment and have a meal before bringing the University vehicle back to Iowa City. That students sits with us for dinner.

Once everyone is seated Head Coach Kirk Ferentz covers the details of meeting times and locations before asking for a volunteer to "return thanks" prior to dinner. The person who gives the blessing will then have their table excused first for the buffet lines.

For the past 11 years I have instructed the student who joins me for hotel set up to raise their hand and "return thanks" so the table of video and medical may enter the buffet line first. Everytime the video student is very reluctant and Coach Ferentz points to one of the players. My reaction is always a disappointing shake of the head as we bow our heads. However this past Friday night it was a different outcome.

Michael, a volunteer assistant joined me on our trek to Cedar Rapids. Michael is a very excited young man to have the opportunity to be apart of the Iowa Football team. As we finished setting up the equipment and waited for a late arriving football team I told him to be ready to return thanks for dinner. He looked at me with a puzzled look on his face and asked me what he should say. "Just give thanks for the food and for allowing us this opportunity. Keep it short."

After about 45 minutes the team arrived and met on the 16th floor for dinner. As we sat down at our table Michael asked, "Do I stand or sit." Thinking he was going along with the joke I said, "oh, you can sit down."

Coach Ferentz approached the middle of the room with the instructions, "alright meetings at the same time. 8:30 and 8:45. Anybody want to return thanks?" He looks around the room and with conviction and certainty Michael throws his hand in the air. I look and begin to tell him to bring his hand down while Abby Wieck, assistant medical trainer looks to him agasp as to what is about to happen.

Kirk sees Julien VanDeVelde, but then switches his gaze to Michael and calls upon him. My head sunk into my hands as I hear Michael say, "Thank you for this opportunity and the blessings bestowed upon us..........Amen."

My head remained in my hands as I laughed so hard tears flowed from my eyes. All eyes were on our table with all players wondering, "Who is this guy?" Finally after about a minute I compose myself, raise my head and say, "You are the first person to ever do that." Michael was proud and didn't know he had been the butt of a practical joke. I look around and see kickers Daniel Murray and Trent Mossbrucker with a confused look on their face. As players finished their dinner and exited the room, all had the same question, "Who is that with Engelbert?"

I finished my meal early looking for more. I went back to the buffet line only to find Coach Ferentz. His question to me was about what the Chicago Cubs would do with Milton Bradley, but his son James interrupted by saying, "that was the best prayer of the year." Before Coach could answer I turned and headed directly back to my table.

A joke that started over a decade ago with over twenty video students as possible targets, one finally fell for it. However we were still the last table to be excused for dinner.

Drive to Kinnick

Below is an "edit-on-the-fly" video that I shot and have been sitting on since 2006. This is the drive down on the Iowa Football bus as it makes its way to Kinnick Stadium for the night time showdown with Ohio State. The Friday before each Hawkeye Football home game, the team spends the night in Cedar Rapids and arrives at Kinnick Stadium approximately two hours prior to kick-off. Allow some time to watch as it lasts nine minutes, with the action picking up around the five minute mark.

4th of July - Alliant Energy 8K

For the 24th straight year Alliant Energy has sponsored the Cedar Rapids 5K/8K. After a year in which the floods delayed the race until Labor Day, it returned to the Fourth of July on a cool and rainy day.

This was the third year I have raced in the event. My personal best time was 39:22 in 2006. Unofficially my time was at 39:51 (update: Official Time 39:47) this year, I was very satisfied with my performance.

Here I approach the finish line on 2nd Avenue. A light drizzle fell on participants throughout the day.

Colin and Mom waited patiently for the 8K to conclude as well as waiting for the Kids Fun Run.

Colin sprints away from Daddy.

Colin shows off his medal for participating in the event.

Science Project

With temperatures dropping to as much as thirty below throughout the state of Iowa, we tried a simple science project that many others had been doing. I had first heard about it on AM-720, WGN Chicago. We took 8oz of boiling hot water and threw it into the sub zero air. The adjacent picture shows the result. Water quickly turned into steam and crystals.
WGN Meterologist, Tom Skilling said this air mass originated over Sieberia four weeks ago and now has make its way into the midwest. We compared our temperature to that of Anchorage, Alaska. While Cedar Rapids was reporting a high of -29F, the Alaskan metropolitan area reached 38 above zero. A difference of more than sixty degrees.
Weather is the talk all around the country. However while watching the Sony Hawaii Open from Oahu, golfers had to deal with winds over 60mph. Winds ferocious enough to cause many of the local schools in the area to let out early. I think we'd be satisfied with that weather around here.

Night Out on the Town

A local favorite is the topic of this week's Night Out on the Town. Brick's Restaurant and Bar is located in downtown Cedar Rapids. This has become a favorite as it is located directly across the street from the Crowne Plaza in downtown Cedar Rapids.

Brick's recently re-opened after the flooding that decimated the heart of Cedar Rapids. It remains the same but under new ownership and the changes have been noticeable. Now flat screens with DirectTV line the walls, and the variety of music over the speakers has definitely improved.

A favorite of the Coe College crowd, Bricks entertains people of all ages.

Iowa's Home Away from Home...At Home

Confused? Every week the Hawkeyes play at home in Kinnick Stadium, the team heads to Cedar Rapids to spend the night before the game. Currently the team is housed at the Crowne Plaza downtown but due to the recent flooding of the area, and financial issues outside the control of the hotel staff, we're not sure if this will be our home the entire year.

The football team has had this tradition dating back to the 1990 season. Coach Hayden Fry felt a team is better prepared if they are able to focus and have a good night's rest. Something which may not be possible in a dorm room on a Friday night. When Kirk Ferentz became the head coach, the Friday destination became the Crowne Plaza.

Those who spend the night with the team include the head coach, coordinators, graduate assistants, football operations director, trainers, security and me, the video guy. Along with dinner, snack and breakfast (pre-game meal), the team holds meetings as well as watch the motivational video which is prior to the bus ride to the stadium.

The staff at the Crowne Plaza has done an exceptional job for us in our ten years in Cedar Rapids. Now with management issues, which is out of their control, it would be easy for them to slack off of their committment. However they have rallied around the fact they take care of the football team as they prepare for each home game. Meals continue to be great, chocolate chip cookies are warm and chewy and the distractions are few. Over the years we have dealt with High School Volleyball tournaments, concerts, but nothing may compare to the WWE night prior to our first game of this season. There are many different types who attend those events.

Night Out on the Town

Tonight's Night Out on the Town is a local favorite that had to close its doors due to the floods of 2008. Dublin City is located in downtown Cedar Rapids.

On Fridays during the season, myself, the deputy sherriff and members of the Iowa training staff would head to this local pub after meetings were completed. It had a little bit of everything--occasional live bands, crowds of many ages and favorable pricing on beverages. The only negative was the amount of smoke that filtered throughout the place, but we were looking forward to life after the smoking ban which went into effect July 1, 2008. Dublin did not live to see that date.

The owner also operated a smokeless restaurant around the corner called Grafton Street. Many of the workers split time at both places. Grafton was smaller and quieter and it was here we got to know many of the workers. It too was damaged by the flood and reports say it will not be open.

We're not sure if Dublin City will open again.