At the University of Iowa in the United States, a uniquely heart-touching tradition unfolds during every home football game at Kinnick Stadium. Unlike most football traditions that focus solely on cheering for the team or celebrating athletic achievements, this ritual reaches beyond the sport itself and has become a powerful symbol of compassion and community. 

Each time the clock hits the end of the first quarter, more than 70,000 fans, along with players, coaches, officials, and even members of the visiting team, pause what they are doing and turn together toward the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital, which rises just beyond the stadium’s edge. From there, patients and their families gather at the hospital windows, watching the game and holding up handmade signs. In response, the crowd waves in unison—a breathtaking sight of solidarity and support. 

This moment—known nationally as the Hawkeye Wave—is much more than a brief gesture. Though it lasts only a minute or so, the emotional effect resonates deeply with everyone involved. Hospitalized children, many of whom are battling serious illnesses, get a powerful reminder that they are not forgotten, while fans are offered a chance to reflect on something larger than the competition on the field. 

The tradition began in 2017, shortly after the hospital’s top floor—where patients have a panoramic view of Kinnick Stadium—was completed. The idea reportedly emerged from an online suggestion by a Hawkeye fan, who proposed that supporters at home games should take time to wave at the children watching from the hospital windows. At the end of the first quarter during the first home game of that season, the stadium public-address announcer invited everyone to do just that—and it caught on immediately.

Since then, the Hawkeye Wave has been performed at every home game and has become one of the most cherished traditions in college sports. In fact, USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards named the Hawkeye Wave the #1 College Sports Tradition in both 2024 and 2025, recognizing its emotional impact and nationwide admiration. 

Today, the moment also incorporates a special partnership between the football program and the hospital’s “Kid Captain” initiative, which was begun in 2009 to honor pediatric patients and share their stories with the wider community. Each week during the season, a Kid Captain—chosen from among the hospital’s young patients—receives special recognition, a commemorative jersey, and the chance to pick the song that plays as the crowd waves.

The Hawkeye Wave highlights the way sports can bridge entertainment and empathy. For fans packed into Kinnick Stadium, it’s a regular reminder that the excitement of football intersects with real lives and real struggles. For the children watching, it’s not just a wave—it’s a message of encouragement, hope, and connection. 

In a world where athletic traditions often revolve around rivalries and celebration, the Hawkeye Wave stands out as a powerful reminder of the impact a simple gesture can have. It transforms an ordinary moment in a football game into something deeply human, showing that kindness and community spirit can resonate far beyond the field of play.