For the second consecutive year, Iowa football’s “Hawkeye Wave” was named the best college sports tradition by the USA TODAY’S 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards.
With Week 1 of the 2025-26 college football season kicking off on Aug. 28 with a slate of 17 FBS games, USA TODAY’S 10BEST set out to find the best rituals and traditions across the entire sport.
Here’s what the awards said about the Hawkeye Wave.
What is the Hawkeye Wave?
The Hawkeye Wave occurs after the first quarter, when players and fans from both teams turn their attention from the field to the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital, overlooking Kinnick Stadium, and wave to pediatric patients and their families watching the game. The tradition began in 2017 and has since become one of the most beloved college sports traditions nationwide.
Each home Iowa football game features a Kid Captain, who chooses what song is played in Kinnick Stadium during the Hawkeye Wave. The captain also receives a commemorative jersey, special recognition from both the hospital and members of the football team and opportunities for behind-the-scenes experiences.
“The top floor of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital has an incredible view of the university’s Kinnick Stadium, which is perfect for the pediatric patients who want to watch the game,” USA TODAY’S 10BEST wrote.
What are the 10 best traditions in college football, according to USA TODAY’S 10BEST?
The Wave was one of two other traditions from Big Ten schools to be featured on the list.
Here are all the winners for best traditions in college football:
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa football’s ‘Hawkeye Wave’ wins best college sports tradition for second straight year
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
