A Great Day

Today we were given a tour of the Iowa Hawkeye Athletic departments, the Carver Hawkeye Arena and Kinnick Stadium. We were taken on the tour by Jess, who works for University of Iowa and volunteers at Hope Lodge. We were gone about 3 hours and had an amazing experience!

First we went to the Football Building. They had a lot of awards, banners and trophies in the lobby, including Nile Kinnick's Heisman trophy, as well as the Cy-Hawk Trophy, which is here this year, and travels to the winner each year. There are many offices for staff there. Everywhere we looked, there were signs, motivational messages, pictures, awards, banners, stats, jerseys, portraits and lots of memorabilia. We got to see where the locker rooms were, the student athlete lounge, the training areas, offices, meeting rooms and weight room. There is also a room that houses the sound and vision equipment where they run the scoreboards, videos and game action. It is under Kinnick, but they run all the game stuff for the Arena here, too.

We went through the tunnel to the bubble, their practice field. Instead of football players in there, we saw the baseball team all suited up for the media, getting in a little press time before their season starts.

Then we went into Kinnick Stadium and toured from top to bottom. First of all, it was beautiful. The view was spectacular--you could see all the way around the city for miles. On the top floor are the media rooms, which we got to go into and learn of who would typically be in that room for a game. Below that are the guest suites, several sizes. Below that is open air premium seating and private concessions. Next down are more suites. They are just above what we would consider normal bleacher seating for a football game. Our tour guide, Jess, actually "sells" the premium seating and suites...although he said they are always sold out with a waiting list. Mostly he makes sure every seat is purchased. It was really interesting to hear all about that. We walked out onto the ground level outdoors, to see the stadium from outdoors. Several fun things along the way; we got to see the Kinnink "jail" for those who break the law and are waiting for police. Also, I had heard a rumor that the visiting team's dressing room is pink. It is an old Hayden Fry thing--he did it to "psych out" the visitors. I never knew if it was really true. I am here to tell you, it IS true! EVERYTHING is pink--lockers, walls, pink and brown football carpet, even the sinks and urinals in the bathroom! I loved it (and took pictures)! At the very bottom of Kinnick are the team "game day" dressing rooms and the famous hallway where they come down before they enter the stadium. We found out where the Iowa team goes before their home games to get out of town and keep their minds on the game.

When we left Kinnick, we headed over to Carver Hawkeye Arena. Justin and I have been walking there a few times a week, so we are very familiar with the basketball area. But Jess took us down underneath the seating. There were all sorts of offices of athletics there, including his. We took a left by his office and ended up in the wrestling practice room, where practice for the older guys was ending and the younger ones were having a motivational talk before their practice began. A lot of these guys are practicing for the olympics and national titles. Jess and Justin were talking about the program, and then pointed out the coach to me. A man walked over and shook our hands and began to talk to us. He and Justin hit if off well and immediately began a preview discussion of who would win this week. It was DAN GABLE! He is probably the biggest name in the wrestling world, as well as an olympic gold medal winner. He didn't just talk wrestling...he wanted to know how Justin ended up at the Hope Lodge and how things were going. He seems like a really great guy. When he found out where our seats are for the tournament this weekend, he said it was just behind his family and he would come over to say hi. Then he thought and said, "oh, I can't, I'm going to be on TV." He said it very casually, as if he said he was going to the kitchen for a glass of milk. Dan and Justin talked for about 10 minutes. Incredible!

Next, Jess took us to the basketball area. The women were just finishing up their pre-game practice. We got to go in the locker rooms (not pink), the coaches offices and locker rooms, the player's lounge and the video viewing room. This area was like the others; full of motivation, memories and pride. We got to meet three of the players and the director of basketball. He took us around to see everything and told us all about it. When we got to the coach's meeting room, he took a coach's jersey from a shelf and checked the size...of course it was just the right size and he gave it to Justin. That was cool. He gave me his card, told me to email him anytime if we needed anything. He told us to find him in between or after the game to meet more players and get some autographs. Jerry told us they usually don't do tours of the areas we got to see...it was important that the players feel safe and secure and have privacy. Lastly, we went out onto the playing floor. Once again...cool.

What a day. One of the things I was really impressed with was Justin. He can talk football with the football guys and 5 minutes later, be deep in discussion with a wrestler. Later, he will know the faces and names of the team players he is meeting. The guy knows sports. Wow.

I'll get some pics posted in a day or two....I'm not home, so downloading from my camera is different and much harder. So check back later for those pink urinals...