
University of Iowa Calls an Audible on Decision for New “Hawkeye Wave” Song
In April, it was announced that the University of Iowa would be waving goodbye to Pat Green's song "Wave on Wave," which was used as the "Hawkeye Wave" tradition since 2017. Taking its place would be a new song to be determined by fan-vote, which would subsequently be narrowed down by a bracket-style competition where the replacement anthem would be selected.
Now, the University of Iowa has called an audible on those plans. On Wednesday, the college announced that patients at UI Stead Family Children's Hospital will be the ones to pick the songs that prompt the Hawkeye Wave.
The Hawkeye Wave is when fans at Kinnick Stadium wave to patients at the hospital, adjacent to the stadium. Patients are often seen waving back, in a heartwarming display of unity.
So, a tradition that began with a theme song has now evolved into having its own soundtrack — fittingly decided by the ones whom it's ultimately all about.
This change-in-plans was cosigned by fans, many of whom reached out to the University of Iowa and suggested letting UI Stead Family patients be the ones to choose the songs they want played during football games.
Here's how it'll work: ahead of every Iowa home-game, the hospital will select a "Kid Captain." He or she will be honored at the game and will help select a song to accompany the Hawkeye Wave for that day's game.
The Hawkeye Wave commences at the end of the first quarter. Fans' attention turns away from the field and onto their next door neighbors in UI Stead Family Children's Hospital. In unison, fans wave to the pediatric patients and their families, who are watching the game. The entire display is an inspiring...wave of hope, you could say!
Hawkeye fans proved not only engaged but immensely generous in helping select the new Wave song. I believe it's only a matter of time before one of the kids gets nostalgic and selects Pat Green's biggest hit for nostalgia's sake.