Kirkwood Community College has always had strong ties with the University of Iowa, with many students transferring to Iowa after getting their general education requirements completed.
One understated part of this connection is the number of Hawkeyes fans that roam around Kirkwood rooting for the University of Iowa’s athletics programs.
With the University of Iowa having modest, recent success in sports such as football, around 70,000 people choose to fill the seats of Kinnick Stadium. Attending a sporting event can be about more than just going to see a good team play.
“I find it definitely is a way to bond with people,” said network and system administration major and lifelong Hawkeyes fan Garrett Vogt.
This is also seen in pregame rituals.
“For the Ohio State game, I don’t know how many people just came in for the tailgate and wanted to see the atmosphere and be there,” said Garrett’s father and outreach coordinator, Gary Vogt.
The Iowa athletics programs give Kirkwood community members things to discuss as well as stories about which to reminisce with others. Garrett and Gary both brought up iconic moments of Iowa’s recent sports history, everything from Iowa men’s basketball defeating Nebraska in the Sweet 16 last season to Iowa women’s basketball stunning undefeated South Carolina in the 2023 Final Four to Iowa football toppling national powerhouse Ohio State with a final score of 55-24 in 2017.
All these moments have a clear connection with overcoming adversity and defying odds. A common the thing the Iowa athletics program has to do to achieve national prominence, as Iowa does not often win championships outside of their wrestling programs. Iowa men’s basketball trailed Nebraska for 81% of their NCAA tournament matchup. The Iowa football team were underdogs by about 18 points when they hosted Ohio State in 2017. South Carolina wasn’t expected to lose to anyone in the 2023 NCAA tournament, let alone a smaller team from Iowa.
Even in cases where the games are less intriguing, they can still serve as opportunities to bond with friends and family. When asked if attending Iowa sporting events can strengthen bonds, Garrett said, “We started going to the games together, and then we got a lot closer.”
Gary explained his anecdote, “It’s the journey, not the destination. Your child will remember when you waited in the line and got the ice cream cone.”
No matter what team a person cheers for, not every game will be spectacular or result in a victory. Even small moments can have a big impact when shared with others.
This is what Iowa athletics means. They aren’t the program with the most wins, and it isn’t the flashiest, but when they do win, it can feel like a celebration if you are with invested friends or family members.
Even those who don’t attend the games themselves can find opportunities for enjoyment, as time spent in the company of others can be time well spent.
