The Iowa-Iowa State rivalry

On the day before I departed for the Emirates I went down to Iowa City to witness the tailgating parties at the Iowa-Iowa State game. Apparently, tailgating is an American phenomena. When I've mentioned it to my British and Australian counterparts they've replied with, "Don't you have a nice pub you could drink at before the game?"

*****

I'm an Iowa alum. We have more in common with our in-state rivals than any other team we play all season yet no loss stings more than losing to them.

Several years ago I traveled to Ames to take pictures at an Iowa-Iowa State game. In that era the teams were even and the tension was palpable. This year Iowa was the clear favorite and it made for a fun atmosphere.

While walking around I twice heard from an Iowa State fan, "Please don't hurt us."

Hence, it was not surprising to see acts of love trumping the rivalry.

Every parent wants the best for their children. Even though this woman graduated from Iowa State, she hopes for a better life for her son.

Tailgating

Nile Kinnick is Iowa's only Heisman trophy winner, thus it is appropriate to have the football stadium named after him. I learned from wikipedia tonight that he is the only all-American to receive a unanimous vote from the AP. And, as a student-athlete he was an econ major.

I'm not saying econ majors are superior.

But we are.

The seats of the stadium are in the distance. An hour before kick-off few are in the stands; most are still tailgating.

It's a crush of fans right outside of the stadium. I can't help but look at this picture and think, "Wow, we really are a very white state..."

In the three hours I spent walking around I came across more RV's than I thought existed in the entire state.

Nothing says you're a loyal Hawkeye fan more than driving a black & gold RV or placing two inflatable Herkies to your front bumper.

The kid was posing for his dad. I snuck in behind to take this pic. Yes, folks, that is a fully roasted pig on the table wearing Iowa State attire. I think the shades are a nice touch. Very Weekend at Bernie's.

The amount of food being prepared on elaborate grills was amazing. These people take their tailgating very seriously.

They even bring portable generators to run major appliances like stoves, refrigerators and big screen TV's.

Tailgating, para-military style

If you're gonna do it, do it right!

These tailgaters have the Lord's blessing

Every house in a two mile vicinity of Kinnick offers their lawns for rent.

This church (within a mile of the stadium) offers church services at 8:30 and 11:00 on Sundays and non-stop drunken debauchery on game days for those willing to buy a parking space.

I have no idea how much a parking space goes for but I know the RV lot sells spaces for $2000.

$2000 for seven home games. I'm sure these SUV's paid less but given the number of parking spaces, the church has to making a ton of money.

Praise Jesus!

Wacky outfits

It doesn't get more explicit than this. It says something about the atmosphere that she's wearing the most anti-Iowa State shirt possible... while standing next to an Iowa State fan. Or maybe the Iowa State fan knows - deep in his heart - that he longs to blow Herky.
As an Iowa alum I'm required to like black & gold.

Still, at times our fans look like walking school buses.

Two thoughts: 1. I don't own outrageous Hawkeye socks. I gotta get some. 2. An arab friend who reads the blog asked me, "Are all Americans fat?"

"No, I replied, but I do live in the part of the country where we like to deep fat fry everything and put it on a stick. We're bound to weigh a little more."

Friends

While walking around and taking pics I found some friends from college.

It's always a disappointment when a friend or family member marries an Iowa State alumna. Fortunately for Darin, Jamie has great attributes to make up for this glaring mistake.

Here's Ollie & Marcy. Ollie very sincerely offered me his ticket to the game. He said, "For as long as you work over there you won't be able to see another Iowa-Iowa State game..."

True. And it was a very nice offer. If I weren't leaving the next day I may have taken him up on it but I was just a bit too stressed out.

Marcy's father flew up for the game from Texas.
A die hard fan, he has a pretty good looking Hawkeye tattoo on his leg. I wonder if he has to pay a royalty fee every time he looks at it.

Amy and Dawn were in a tight crowd of tailgater's next to the stadium.

Rather than look at me, Mike's giving a smile for someone else. Thanks for looking my way Dawn! (I'm not sure who Mr. Photobomb is.)

UIHC

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics is right across the street from Kinnick stadium. Anyone hoping to visit a loved one on game day has to hate the commute and lack of parking.

Blog reader

When this woman found out who I was she dropped to her knees and sat on her heels.

For a moment I was excited that for the first time in my life a woman dropped to her knees when introduced to me... until Mike explained that he had sent her my post about Gawkistan.