Homecoming 2009 - Parade

For the first time ever as a family we were able to attend the University of Iowa Homecoming Parade. The annual event a special time for the Engelberts as Homecoming is where Matthew and Dana first met in 1991. She was the PR Director for Homecoming week while I was the Parade Coordinator.

Colin was looking for any advantage he could get for a better view of the entrants passing by.

What would a Homecoming Parade be without a college co-ed riding in a convertable. We're not sure if this is the Homecoming Queen or a member of the court, but like most Homecoming Queens, she'll be forgotten once the weekend is over.

And for some reason the people at Roberts Dairy felt it was important to bring their Cow to downtown Iowa City.

It was a tough go for Colin who was looking for any and all candy coming his way. A sucker and Laffy Taffy was the best he could do.

It was only appropriate that the Tampa Bay Iowa Club appears in the Homecoming Parade. With Iowa's three appearances in the city's Outback Bowl over the last ten years, the Iowa Marching Band has marched in the Outback Bowl parade held on New Year's Eve in Ybor City.

The floats sponsored by the many special groups at the University were a disappointment. This year's theme was "Black and Gold Never Gets Old." The above float by the Tippie School of Business was one of the better, yet we couldn't get a connection with the theme.

Don't Panic

I came upon this story on ESPN.com and thought the world was definitely coming to an end when the ACC is still selling individual tickets for their men's basketball tournament. This is the first time since 1966 when tickets have been made available.

The ACC is the standard for college basketball in this country. It demands a great fan following from teams of Duke, North Carolina, Boston College, Maryland, Virginia as well as those teams as far south at Miami. Tournaments have been held in Greensboro, Charlotte, Tampa, Washington D.C. to name a few. This year's event will be held in the 30,000+ Georgia Dome.

Officials of the conference blame the country's economoy for the late sale of tickets. That is the easiest place to lay blame, but let's not forget this tournament is set for a dome and over 30,000 people. Perhaps they realize that many of these seats will provide a less than sub-par view of the playing floor. They will be able to see it better on the jumbotron or at home. Why pay over $300 and need binolculars. Also, many of these teams' fans want to save their money since as many as four or five have very legitimate chances of making the final four in Detroit.

Night Out on the Town

We'll revisit an earlier Night Out on the Town. Hat Tricks was profiled early in the season, but after our recent trip to Tampa it is worth updating. Hat Tricks is a Hockey Bar and we found that out first hand. Observing a Iowa fan ask the bartender if they'd switch the NHL game on the big screen to the Holiday Bowl, the bartender responded by saying, "We don't turn off Hockey Games."

The food was outstanding and it provided many of us a meal on Christmas Eve when all other restaurants were closed. I asked for the Grouper on a number of occasions, but all but one time they were out. The chicken was very tasty, but it was disappointing to find them out of grouper.


Hat Tricks was much more convenient on this trip as we stayed across the street at the Hyatt. However my secret dining spot no longer belonged to myself. It was busy every night, mostly with Iowa fans and those of our travelling party.


Hat Tricks did not disappoint.

Iowa Returns from Tampa

A smaller travelling party returned from sunny and warm Tampa to temperatures in the 20s at the Eastern Iowa Airport in Cedar Rapids. Many staff members returned with the marching band following the Outback Bowl victory on the first, while many players returned to their homes with their parents for what remains of the holiday break.

Due to internet issues at our home, we will slowly post more pictures from the trip to Tampa over the next few days.

Night Out on the Town

A bowl edition of "Night Out on the Town" highlights The Rack in the Hyde Park disctrict of Tampa, Florida. Hyde Park is a young professional neighborhood and hosts a number of restaurants and bars. The Rack is combination pool hall, sushi bar and restaurant.

Last night we spent a little time there and met a person, Paul Bagus. He spends time between Illinois and Hyde Park. He recognized us with our Hawkeye Football clothing and struck a conversation. We found out he once taught in Woodstock, Illinois at the middle school with my brother-in-law and knew him and my sister Amy very well. Paul took pride in entertaining us the entire night.

On this night many sports figures were in attendance playing pool. Many Tampa Bay Buccaneer players as well as current major leaguer, Gary Sheffield.

And the Truck Arrives

The truck arrives in Tampa, Florida. The team is staying at the downtown Hyatt.

Welcome to Tampa

Flew into St. Pete - Clearwater Airport

Skyline of Tampa

Bright Blue Skies, Clear Blue Water

View from the hotel window.

Night Out on the Town

This week's recommended place is a Sports Bar / Restaurant in Tampa, Flordia called Hattricks. Located in downtown Tampa, Hattricks is located near the St. Pete Times Forum, the home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. As the name indicates, this is a Hockey Bar that is also a place to take the whole family. The food is better than bar fare and with the many televisions, a game of any type can always be found.

Hatticks was a place many of us frequented while in town for the Outback Bowl in 2003 and 2005. With the game on Jan. 2 of 2006, my family and I went to the hangout for lunch on New Year's Day. The staff treated my 1 1/2 year old son very well.

Tampa is a great bowl city and Hattricks is one of the places we enjoy going back to.