RAGBRAI Stops in Coralville

 An Iowa tradition, the Des Moines Register Annual Great Bike Ride Across Iowa (RAGBRAI) is finishing up another event. The bike ride starts in the western part of Iowa, dipping their back tires in the Missouri River, and finishes on the eastern side of the state, dipping their front tires in the Mississippi River. It is a week long event running Sunday through Saturday with stops along the way. Each town on the route turns out in different ways offering bikers food, drink and entertainment. The overnight stop typically ends in one of the state's larger communities offering the riders showers, entertainment and an area to camp or homes to house riders.

Typically the final night is the last opportunity for riders to celebrate the long journey. This year that stop was Coralville. Coralville isn't necessarily the home to the University of Iowa Athletics, but Kinnick Stadium, home to Iowa Football can be seen from many of the different areas of town. To give a riders of sense of what it is like to be in Kinnick Stadium, the town built a mini-replica of the historic field on the 8th Street, the final leg of the day's journey.

 The trip from Grinnell to Coralville was dubbed as College Spirit Day. Riders were encouraged to wear bike jerseys featuring the colors of their favorite teams. Many schools were represented. Iowa, Iowa State, Grinnell, Wisconsin, Michigan, Duke, Coe, Simpson to name a few. And on the way into town, riders rode down a street lined with placards of all Division I teams in the country as well as every college and university in the state. Stands were set up adjacent to the central park in town where the Universities passed out or sold different articles of their school. Drake stood out among the schools with the largest inflatable mascot, Spike. They also handed out knapsacks to everyone who stopped by, and those could be seen all over the City of Coralville.

Then fans and riders came out to support their favorite mascot in different races throughout the park. Above Spike and Herky competed in the three-legged race as Cy watched on. TC the Panther as well as the Upper Iowa Peacock also competed.

Media from the area went live for their news at the park hosting RAGBRAI. All three local tv stations as well as many local radio stations set up shop with reports. The Des Moines Register also had their own stand selling many RAGBRAI articles of clothing and other momentos of the trip.

Jeff Kennedy, Tara Thomas and Ron Steele of KWWL

The night ended with a concert by 38 Special. The parking lot of the Coralville Library was turned into a giant beer garden with a stage at the end. A solid two hour show for all of the riders and local residents was a great way to cap the evening.

Iowa Softball Improves its Record

Iowa Softball defeats WIU, 6-0 in six.

A non-conference opponent within the Big Ten season didn't deter many people from attending the Iowa Softball game at Bob Pearl Field on Sunday. Western Illinois came to Coralville, the home to Iowa Softball, and it wasn't much of a contest. The Hawkeyes bolted to an early 5-0 lead after one and extended their lead to 6-0 in the third. That was all the scoring and the Hawkeyes were victorious. Over 700 fans were in attendance on a perfect day.

Night Out on the Town

A local favorite of the SportsFanEngy clan is Divots Bar and Grill at Brown Deer Golf Course in Coralville. It is one of the few places where a golfer can come of the course and enjoy a good meal with the rest of your foursome.

Divots is operated by the staff of the local Marriott Hotel and the food reflects that of the Marriott standard. A favorite of mine is the Blackened Catfish Sandwich with fries while Colin enjoys the Cheese Pizza, Fries and Carrots. We always leave very satisfied. And although we don't have time to golf at this time of the year, we find ourselves having dinner on Thursdays while watching the college game on the many flatscreens. On Monday nights it is a great place to watch the game with beer and wings.

Hayden Fry Way Dedication

On March 10th, 2009 the city of Coralville passed a proclimation re-naming 1st Avenue to Hayden Fry Way. On this, the 4th of September the signs were officially displayed on a main entrance to the city off Interstate 80.

At the corner of 9th Street and Hayden Fry Way over 300 people turned out as the street was officially re-named. Among those in attendance speaking were Iowa Athletic Director Gary Barta, U of Iowa President Sally Mason, former Sports Director for WMT-AM Ron Gonder and Nancy Quellhorst President of the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce. To lead off the program was the presentation of colors by a local group of Marines and the Iowa Fight Song by the Alumni Band.

Commemorating Hayden's work to make the nation aware of the Iowa Farmer, he had the "ANF" (America Needs Farmers) decal located on the top of the Hawkeye Football Helmet. Today the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, Bill Northey presented a plaque honoring Coach Fry for his contribution to the Ag industry.

Bringing more business to the area was what Coach Fry told the Coralville Chamber within weeks after taking the job. His plan was to create a program which would sell tickets and fill hotels and restaurants in the area. Here Coralville Mayor Jim Fawcett recognized Coach Fry for his contributions to the area by giving him the key to the city.

Along with the street sign, Hayden stands with another sign which will adorn the road leading into Coralville.

First Day of School

Colin officially became a Wickham Wizard today as the new schoolyear is underway in Iowa City / Coralville.

As he will everyday, Colin rides the Frog Hollow bus to and from school. This may be the highlight of his day.

With his name tag securely on his Wickham Wizard shirt, he stands paitently next to his Kindergarden teacher, Mrs. Schwartzendruber...or as the kids will call her, Mrs. S.

One last wave good-bye to his parents before he enters the building.

4th of July - Coralville Fireworks

Our Fourth of July throughout the Corridor came to an end tonight in Coralville. Fireworks lit up the sky over S.T. Morrisson Park.

Nate Kaeding Golf Tournament - The Video

Based on my profession I tend to produce videos that have more of a look for tv than they do for a part-time blog. However this is a very short video on the outing.

Nate Kaeding Golf Outing

One of the highlights to Summer in the Iowa City / Coralville area is the annual Nate Kaeding Golf Tournament. The 2009 edition was the fourth annual and my third straight year of playing in the event. It is definitely a unique event as Thursday is the pre-event "Par-Tee" which includes an auction, food and entertainment. Friday is the golf outing with a different activity on every hole along with the golf tournament.

Par-Tee participants Jackie Kaeding (Nate's Sister), Matthew Engelbert, John Mills, Bob Rahfeldt, and Dana Engelbert.

The Live Auction underway, with items such as season tickets in the club level at Kinnick Stadium, University of Iowa Golf Cart, and a life-size Nile Kinnick painting among other items.

A table for the silent auction which includes private parties at the Cedar Rapids Kernels, MC Ginsbergs, Nate Kaeding Framed Signed Pro Bowl Jersey, Jason Baker signed mini-helmet and a package of wines from local Muddy Creek Wineries among other items.

Many of the Par-Tee members engaged in the Live Auction.

While the Live Auction was in process, many others enjoying the social activities.

A change to the golf outing for 2009 was allowing two foursomes to play simultaneously on the same hole allowing our two groups to play together. XOS Technologies sponsored the two teams and they included: Justin Moen, Chic Ejiasi, John Mills, Matthew Engelbert, (host) Nate Kaeding, Charlie Bullen, Bob Rahfeldt, Kevin Foor, and Joe Marinaro.

The Marriott of Coralville provides food and drink on many of the holes at Brown Deer Golf Course.

What makes the tournament different from others is the involvement of the Iowa City / Coralville Community. Here the Holiday Inn Express Suites of Coralville sponsors the 14th hole with a bean bag game giving players the opporuntiy to a whirlpool suite. Others sponsoring holes were FryFest, University of Iowa Sport Medicine, Cedar Rapids Distillery, Arctic Cat, Coralville Nissan and many others. The title sponsor was Corridor State Bank.

Joe Marinaro of XOS Technologies, the sponsor of our two foursomes

The afternoon group of golfers ready to go. There were 36 foursomes in the morning and 37 in the afternoon.

Nate had many ex-Hawkeyes participate as well as current San Diego Chargers, Nate's current NFL team. Among the Chargers who participated were Mike Scifers, David Binn and radio analyst Hank Bauer. Jason Baker, former Hawkeye and current Carolina Panther also played in the event.

Proceeds from the event go to the Hope Lodge located on the University of Iowa campus.

Hayden Fry Way

Finally after days of waiting to post this picture the news is finally out. Josh Schamberger at the Iowa City / Coralville CVB released it earlier today. 1st Steet in Coralville will be renamed "Hayden Fry Way."

Winter Days

Growing up, snowy days like this cancelled school, but also made it difficult to drive to town as the country roads were blocked, typically for days. Overnight 6 1/2 inches of snow fell upon the Coralville / Iowa City area and school was closed. However this city doesn't come to a stop, but it does slow down. Local schools were cancelled, but people were out snow blowing and shovelling in order to get out of the house and get around town.

Many of the streets were covered with the overnight snow, but were very driveable. Now we look forward to highs below zero over the next 48 hours.