What is the 'Hawkeye Wave'? Iowa football’s heartwarming tradition goes viral - Watch Video

College football is packed with traditions that make game days special, but few can match the emotion behind Iowa’s famous 'Hawkeye Wave'. The heartwarming ritual at Kinnick Stadium has once again grabbed attention on Saturday night during the Iowa Hawkeyes’ clash with the Ohio State Buckeyes, reminding fans that some moments are bigger than football.

The Hawkeye Wave saw an entire stadium briefly shift its attention away from the action and toward children watching from a nearby hospital. The hospital’s location directly across from the stadium created a unique opportunity for fans to connect with patients who otherwise might not be able to experience game day in person.

What began less than a decade ago has grown into one of college football’s most recognizable and touching traditions, bringing players, coaches, rivals and thousands of fans together.

WHAT IS THE 'HAWKEYE WAVE' AND WHY DO IOWA FANS DO IT?

The Hawkeye Wave takes place at the end of the first quarter when Kinnick clock hits zero of every Iowa home football game. More than 70,000 people inside Kinnick Stadium turn toward the nearby UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and wave to pediatric patients and their families watching the game through the hospital windows.

It is not just Iowa supporters who participate. Hawkeyes players and coaches join in, while members of the visiting team and their fans also take part. For a few moments, the rivalry on the field is forgotten as everyone inside the stadium comes together for the children.

The tradition began in 2017 when the hospital opened its new facility, a nearly $300 million building located just across Hawkins Drive from Kinnick Stadium. Standing 12 stories tall, the hospital offered patients and their families a clear view inside the Hawkeyes’ historic home ground.

Patients and their families can enjoy the game through the hospital’s floor-to-ceiling windows, with the top floor fittingly known as the “Press Box” for its impressive view of the stadium.

HAWKEYE WAVE BECOMES ONE OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL’S MOST-LOVED TRADITIONS

The Wave has continued to evolve over the years. Since 2022, the week’s Kid Captain has been given the opportunity to choose the song played during the emotional moment. The Kid Captain program itself dates back to 2009 and recognizes young patients receiving treatment at the children’s hospital.

The tradition’s popularity has spread far beyond Iowa City. The Hawkeye Wave was voted the Best College Sports Tradition in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards in both 2024 and 2025.