Senior Video

It is hard to imagine the last football game will be played this weekend in Kinnick Stadium. Many events surround the last home game, many include the seniors. This Friday at the Johnson County I-Club breakfast all seniors associated with the program will be introduced. The same goes for pre-game Saturday as the Hawkeyes take on the Michigan State Spartans for the driver's seat to the Big Ten Championship Game in Indianapolis. Following the game is the Senior Farewell Tailgater by invitation only for friends and relatives.

Here Joe Forgy sits in front of the camera for the yearly video shown to teammates Friday night. Each senior describes "What it Means to Be an Iowa Hawkeye" and those soundbites are edited together. The video is not only for the teammates, but also for those who attend the Iowa Football Awards Banquet, this year December 17 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel.

Iowa Opens 2011 Season in Downpour

The 2011 season opened with a bang and a strike, or thunder and lightning which caused a delay in the Iowa football game with Tennessee Tech. A sell out crowd weathered the hardest rain to hit Kinnick Stadium on game day in the Kirk Ferentz era until lightning caused an hour thirty one minute delay at the 3:37 mark in the 3rd quarter.

Big plays highlighted the day on both offense and defense. But as the rain continued to fall on the Kinnick Stadium surface, the ball became harder to control. And according to the Iowa radio broadcast with Gary Dolphin and Ed Podolak, it was reported the Golden Eagles only brought six football with them on the road trip.

But as eager as the Hawkeye faithful were to start the season, many were ready to call it a day when the storms caused a delay. Fans headed for on-campus buildings or cars to wait out the delay, or decided to stand in line for the Hawkeye express and head home.

At 1-0, the Hawkeyes travel to Ames in one week to take on the Iowa State Cyclones.

Iowa Football Spring Scrimmage

Waking up to snow and frigid temperatures made some Hawkeye fans think last year's Minnesota season finale was tropical compared to today's Iowa Spring Classic. Yet the heartiest of Hawkeye fans showed up for their first look at the 2011 team. Gone are Stanzi, Sash, Clayborn and Ballard. They are replaced by Vandenberg, Bernstein, Binns and Daniels. Many fans were disappointed with the 8-5 record of 2010, but expectations for this Iowa team are low as youth and inexperience are two words that will be used often when discribing this year's team. Although the turnout for the scrimmage was far lower than previous games, it didn't stop some from tailgating and getting a few autogrpahs at the end.

What has become a tradition before the final spring practice, Director of Security for the Hawkeye football team, Ron Stewart stops at the locker in Malcom, Iowa to pick up brats, cooks them up and prepares them for the many members of the support staff. The grilled brat was very welcome on this cold day.

For the spring game players continue to use the locker room facilities within the Iowa Football complex. After getting taped and dressed they move in a swarm-like fashion across the street to Kinnick Stadium.

Fans huddled together and braved the windy conditions. Air temps were in the 40s with wind chills dropping into the 20s. The Iowa fans arrived early, shopped at the Iowa Hawk Shop clearance sale and waited around until the scrimmage started.

Only a couple of months removed from getting hit by a car in Scottsdale, Arizona, Ed Podolak was confined to a wheelchair, but assisted in the broadcast of the spring scrimmage with play by play man, Gary Dolphin. Podolak returned to Iowa City following his operations in Arizona for rehab. He has also found some time to attend a few practices.

For the little kids that stuck it out in the cold, players rewarded them by walking around the field signing autographs.

And the media had their final opportunity to talk to Iowa Football players and coaches until media day in August.

Hawkeyes over Penn State

The Iowa Hawkeyes opened Big Ten play in winning style with a 24-3 victory over Penn State. The third year in a row the Nittany Lions have fallen to the Hawkeyes. A year ago Penn State's Beaver Stadium was the White House as all fans were encouraged to wear white, but this year the Kinnick Stadium faithful mixed it up a bit by alternating the sections with black and gold attire.

It was the last game of Iowa's first half schedule, who close it at 4-1. They welcome a bye this week and then have seven consecutive Big Ten games.

Night Out on the Town

After opening successful "Shorts Burger and Shine" in downtown Iowa City, former Hawkeye place-kicker Nate Kaeding has opened another location near Kinnick Stadium in Stella's.

The former site of Melrose Market and Taste of Melrose, Stella's is a quaint dining experience with a variety of menu choices that changes every two months. The signature of each dish is the freshness of foods from the area. Iowa pork or meat will always be found on the menu with a nice selection of assorted fruits and vegetables from the area.

Variety is the word one would describe the assortment of beers on tap. Gone are the regulars such as Bud Light and Miller Lite, but Pabst Blue Ribbon, Pilsner Urquell and Hoefgarden are part of the lineup such as local beers from the Amanas and Knoxville, Iowa.

Parking and seating is limited as it sits on the edge of little University Heights. Stella's is able to accomodate more in the warmer Iowa months as the large front doors open to outdoor seating to the south and west. Parking is limited to the small lot shared by a dentist office and city hall. The large Kinnick Stadium parking lot,  a Kaeding, Alamo Bowl game-winning field goal away may be your best bet.

Stella's has only been open for a week and within days will also be open for breakfast and lunch. Dinner meals will be under $20 and judging by the soft opening last week, it will be worth it.

Opening Weekend - Evashevski Drive

The Iowa City / Coralville area honors those who have spent time in the area making it a better place or placing the area on the map. Around the University of Iowa Athletic Complexes there are many reminders of those who were integral in placing the Hawkeyes on the map. Downtown Iowa City honors historian and former All-American swimmer with a statue as well as one of the cities schools being named after him. The early 70s found the football stadium being re-named after the lone Heisman Trophy winner who was later killed in World War II, Nile Kinnick. In the 90's Elliott drive, located near Carver Hawkeye Arena - a facility he worked hard to build - was named in honor of former Athletic Director Bump Elliott. And a year ago hall of fame football coach for the Hawkeyes, Hayden Fry had the main access road into Coralville and the athletic complex named after him. In 2010 another former Hawkeye Football coach had the distinction of a road being named after him.

Forest Evashevski was the head football coach for the Iowa Hawkeyes in the 50s. He led the Hawkeyes to their first bowl appearances, those being the Rose Bowl as Big Ten Champions. Evashevski Drive, dedicated the day before the Hawkeye's home opener, runs on the west side of Kinnick Stadium. Among the dignitaries on hand for the presentation were University of Iowa President, Sally Mason, current Head Football Coach, Kirk Ferentz, Athletic Director, Gary Barta and a member from one of Evashevski's teams, Jim Gibbons. Former football assistant coach and Varsity Club President, Dave Triplett was the master of ceremonies.

Children of Evashevski's were on hand for the presentation and unveiling of the street sign that bears that former Hawkeye's name.

This Saturday

Although it has been the shortest off-season in Iowa Football season, the time Hawkeye fans have waited since the January 5 Fed Ex Orange Bowl has seemed like decades. Anticipation for the 2011 season has been at an all time high. And now we can finally say the season starts, "This Saturday!"

This Saturday, this Kinnick Stadium Parking lot will be full of anxious tailgaters.

This Saturday, fans will be lining Melrose Avenue for not only tailgating parties, but to welcome the Iowa Football team. At this spot, the team depart their buses and make their way through the black and gold clad crowd to their game-day locker room.

This Saturday, fans will crowd these Kinnick Stadium concourses to either buy a soda or find their seat...a highly sought over seat for the best home schedule in years. Teams such as Iowa State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Michigan State and Ohio State play the Hawkeyes in Iowa City.

This Saturday, Gary Dolphin and Ed Podolak will broadcast on the Learfield Network from this booth high atop Kinnick Stadium. Dolphin and Podolak have teamed up every year since 1997.

This Saturday, members of the print and electronic media will take their seats to blog, tweet, chat and report on this Top Ten football team.

And this Saturday, Kirk Ferentz will lead his 2010 Football team onto the Kinnick Stadium turf to begin the season with Eastern Illinois.

The Snow Storm of December 09

The first snow storm of the 2009 season hit Iowa City with over a foot and cancelled classes at Iowa. It was a good day to stay inside and warm as blizzard warnings covered most of the state of Iowa. Below are a few photos of Kinnick Stadium. (Courtesy Pete Van Elswyk--Director of Facilities at Kinnick Stadium--for the last two.)

Across the street from Kinnick Stadium outside the door of the Jacobson Athletic Complex.

Images from Northwestern Weekend.

Not many photos captured on the weekend of Iowa's first defeat of the 2009 season.

On Friday the announcing crew of Dave Pasch and Bob Griese along with the producer and director sits down with Iowa Football Coach Kirk Ferentz. This proceeded a two hour video session between Griese and Pasch. They took a look at each team's offense from the week before.
Here they are in the booth prior to the start of the Iowa - Northwestern game in the Kinnick Stadium Press Box.

Herky enters Kinnick Stadium.

Then the Hawkeyes take the Kinnick Stadium field.

And here comes the 'Cats.

Homecoming 2009 - Iowa v Michigan

For some reason when Michigan comes to Iowa City for a football game, the attention is unmatched. There is a special feeling in the air that doesn't associate with Ohio State or Iowa State. Perhaps it goes back to the classic battle of #1 v #2 in 1985 where the Hawkeyes won 12-10 on a Rob Houghtlin field goal with :02 to play.

This year's game was not only Homecoming, but it was also one of the few prime time contests in the History of Kinnick Stadium. It was also televised to a national television audience on ABC. Tickets for the game were going for over $300. A capacity crowd showed up on an October night that felt more like late November. Temperatures at kick-off was 30 degrees with a 24 degree wind chill.

Here the Iowa Video Staff takes a moment for a photo with ABC's lead College Football Play by Play man, Brent Musberger.
Saturday Night College Football on ABC means something special. Brent Musberger and Kirk Herbstreit, the network's elite crew, was on hand.

A tradition that began less than ten years ago is the University of Iowa Alumni Band performing the pre-game routine. It is much like riding a bicycle for most of these aging performers as the show hasn't changed much over the last 25 years.

Michigan Video Coordinator, Phil Bromley (front center) and XOS Employees Joe Marinaro (back center) and John Mills (right) join me in the booth. Phil types in statistical information for the Wolverines while his assistant Kevin shoots the wide angle. Joe and John were in town to observe the in-game work flow, but most importantly to watch Joe's alma mater (Michigan) battle the Hawkeyes.

Amid a "BlackOut," the Hawkeyes take the field.



The team enters to AC/DC's "Back in Black." This has become a staple of the Kinnick Stadium experience.

Blackout Saturday

Iowa Arizona on a September day with temperatures in the 70s was also the designated "Blackout" Saturday. Many fans came to Kinnick Stadium with their best black shirts and tops. It was a rare afternoon kick-off for the Hawkeyes.

The view of Kinnick Stadium as the team emerges from the buses which brought them down from Cedar Rapids.
One of many tailgating tents outside Kinnick Stadium

The Video Staff with former Hawkeye asst and current New Hampshire asst., Mark Deleon.

The game was seen nationally on ABC. Calling today's action was Mike Patrick and Craig James.

The team runs onto the Kinnick Stadium turn prior to kick-off with the Wildcats.

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.

Practicing the Swarm

Everything takes practice, including the "Swarm." At Iowa's Mock Game Saturday the team covered every situation imaginable including how to enter Kinnick Stadium on Saturday afternoons.

Rain continued to pound the Eastern Iowa area and practiced moved to Kinnick Stadium. On this day the team practiced with the music blasting over the speakers as well as getting used to the new field turf, this time under rainy conditions. The field held up well and the skies dried up as the team walked off the field shortly after 6pm.

Cue the Band

While the football team had a morning practice in Kinnick Stadium, the marching band had their first year students gather in the Recreation Building to work on their routines for the upcoming season. Among the songs being rehersed was Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline."

Kid's Day

Kids Day at the University of Iowa allowed families to attend an open scrimmage inside Kinnick Stadium. Estimated number had not been announced, but a good crowd showed up for their only look at the 2009 football team before the season opener with Northern Iowa on September 5th.

One fan watches the players walk to Kinnick Stadium.

Fans were only allowed access to the west and south stands.

This was the first opportunity for the team to practice on the new Kinnick Stadium surface.

Fans lined up along the field for a chance for post-scrimmage autographs.

The thirty minute autograph session was hardly enough, but the kids took advantage of getting signatures as possible.