Doin' the Hokey Pokey

Becoming a tradition associated with the start of the Iowa Football season, the Iowa City / Coralville Convention and Visitor's Bureau has created "Fry Fest," the best of anything Hawkeye. A year ago at the first, Hall of Fame Iowa Football Coach, Hayden Fry came back to see First Avenue in Coralville renamed, "Hayden Fry Way." To honor the coach who put the Hawkeyes back on the national map, Fry is coming back to Coralville to lead Hawkeye fans in another one of his traditions, the Hokey Pokey.

After wins under Fry the team would come together in the locker room afterwards to perform the dance in a celebratory way. The Hokey Pokey is Friday night at the Coralville River Landing, and a big crowd is anticipated. Over 4000 people will be needed as they are looking to break the World's Record for the most people to collectively dance the Hokey Pokey.

At last Friday's practice, Freshmen of the Iowa Football team re-lived the tradition in front of their older teammates.

The Hayden Fry Golf Outing

The timing of the announcement of this year's Fry Fest Activities coincided with anniversary of one of my favorite Hayden Fry stories.

Under any coach the Thursday staff meeting prior to the culmination of spring practice would result in the discussion of the upcoming Spring Game. There is much to discuss regarding that Saturday. Among them are recruiting and who is coming to town for a visit, the style of play and what will actually be on display for the fans to watch and possible what will life be once spring ball is over. At least that is what I thought would be the topic of discussion, but I was surprised when I walked into the staff room during one of Coach Fry's last years.

After every one of Coach Fry's staff meetings during spring and fall practices, I would enter asking either Offensive Coordinator Don Patterson or Coach Fry himself how practice would be located on the field--would the offense throw with the wind or have the receivers look into the sun. On this Thursday, I entered the Iowa Staff Room only to find something I had never seen before.

As I walked in I noticed the wall's white boards with five groups of four. At the top of each list was a name of either a coordinator or the head coach. I had an idea that these "foursomes" would be the groups of golfers for the Hayden Fry Football Outing. And there was tight end coach, Mark Hendrickson sitting by himself filling out the day's practice schedule. I proceeded to say, "Don't tell me you spent 25 minutes talking golf and the final five on the Spring Game. But I was close to being right.

When I posed the question to Mark, he lifted his face, looked at me and said, "Matt, it was something that I've never seen before." I said, "don't tell me you spent the entire staff meeting coming up with teams for the following Monday's golf outing." They had spent 90% on the golf outing and 10% on the spring game. He proceeded to explain to me the process.

Hayden, along with his coordinators and senior ranking coach would be selected team captains with the draft to follow. Along with the coaches, the secretaries, training staff and video department would be included. It was common knowledge you didn't want to be on Hayden's team as he did not want to lose. The competitors saw this as their way to hold some bragging rights over the head Hawk.

Monday came and everyone assembled at Finkbine Golf Course. This particular year was cloudy and damp with Hayden's group teeing off first. I was in that group along with a secretary and an assistant coach. We had a good team, but would it be enough to take home the championship?

Once everyone had a few holes under their belt, scores of the group began to circulate. Two under, three under, even par were among the scores, but lying was also a common practice. Mind games were common from groups that claim a competitive spirit in the daily workplace.

Then came hole #13. The water hole. In this best ball tournament, our group had one safely shy of the green with an up / down very possible. But the shot was not of Coach Fry. His was dry, but further away from the green.

We drove to the green and I noticed Coach Fry stopped close to the pond, where his ball was not. He proceeded to grab the ball retrieval tool from his bag and went fishing for golf balls. Word of this began to circulate as well and soon one assistant drove over to witness it first hand. "This guy makes the most money of anyone on campus, and he is fishing for golf ball?" said one coach as he chuckled while watching.

Finally the round of golf came to an end and after nearly five hours the final score was announced. However the winning coach didn't include Coach Fry. His group finished -3 and lost by two strokes.

Although he lost, the golf outing was important to Coach Fry, and it was as important to the secretaries, training staff, video staff and equipment staff. This team building event continued on as long as Coach Fry was there.

Look Back at Northern Iowa

A final look back at Saturday's scare in Iowa City. The Hawkeyes beat the FCS in-state rival Northern Iowa Panthers 17-16.

The first swarm of the year. A packed Kinnick Stadium awaited the start of the 2009 football season.

Back in the booth was Gary Dolphin and Ed Podolak. Podolak, temporarily retired, returned to the booth. It was great to see and hear the two again. On this weekend Gary received the award of honorary letterman. Definitely deserved.

At halftime Hall of Fame Coach, Hayden Fry stopped by the Learfield Radio booth for a quick interview.

The Iowa - Northern Iowa football game marked the culmination of FryFest in Coralville. FryFest will look to become an annual event.

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.