Wide Right Hall of Fame – Second Class

As the first class had a feel of the season (baseball’s first pitch) the second class follows suit with football season approaching. 

Kinnick Stadium – The Empire Strikes Back – Hayden Fry – Back In Black – The Tiger Hawk – Tecmo Bowl

Kinnick Stadium – As with Wrigley Field in the Inaugural Class, Kinnick Stadium is my other of my 2 favorite places in the world.  I’ve been to close to 100 games there and every time I walk up that old tunnel still in the shadow.  Looking up you can see the sun and as I still get closer to that point every time I get goose bumps.  Once you hit the top of the ramp the brightness of the sun hits you, the green grass (turf) and the Hawkeyes in black jersey’s and the black helmets.  It’s one of the favorite things in my life.  I’ve seen many games there with my dad and mom and I can’t wait to take my kids there for games.

The Empire Strikes Back – Star Wars started my love of that galaxy far far away, but Empire continued it.  Luke grows up, Han & Leia’s relationship starts and the 2 coolest guys in the galaxy are introduced, Boba Fett and Lando! 

Hayden Fry – Hayden is a first ballot Hall of Famer, but wanted to save him close to football season.  He’s one of my ultimate heroes.  At Iowa games I’d always scope out the white pants where they were on the sideline.  I’d listen to his radio show every Thursday with my dad.  I even dressed as him a couple Halloweens.  I got to meet him during the 93 spring game and got a picture with him. 

Back in Black – Just watch this!

The TigerHawk – The symbol of my child hood and life.  It’s one of the first things I learned to draw and I used to draw A LOT OF THEM. It’s one of the first things I taught my kids what it is, when they see one they shout “Dad, Hawkeyes!” 

Tecmo Bowl – The first great football video game!  I can’t count how many hours I played it.  I used to keep stats manually since the game didn’t do it, and I’d make my own “Big Peach” sports pages.  Bo Jackson on it is LEGENDARY too! 

  

Who's in your 5? - I Gotta Feeling

So I’m 32 years old. I’ve experienced a good many things. Maybe not as much as I want or as much as others. But these are my top 5 feelings.

5. So I’m going to start this off with sadness. Death. I hate it, I’m scared of it and when I think of not being here to experience my kids life or losing my mom and dad, it freaks me out. The worst was when my grandma (my dad’s mom) passed. I was the closest to her. You’re not supposed to have favorites but she was my favorite. I’d go over and see her after school. I’d skip seeing HS basketball games to go see her and eat supper with her and watch Dukes of Hazzard. When they came on reruns on Spike she’d watch them and I’d come over and watch with her. Every Sunday we’d go over after church and walking in the breeze way door you’d smell the meat she’d been cooking for an hour or so already. And to snitch a few bites, it was great. Her last year was in an assisted living home and I was gone a bit and didn’t get to see her much. I remember the call 2 days before my birthday. My mom came down right away to my room saying grandma was gone. She was going to breakfast, asked the person helping her she wanted to sit a second. Then she was gone. I didn’t cry a lot right away. Went to college and handed my paper. Then started spring break. I cried a lot at the funeral and visitation. It sucked.

4. I still remember this clear as a day. The moment I officially became a dad. In the operating room for the C-Section. Until then I didn’t realize what it meant to be a dad. I understand this that women have a connection to the baby from onset. But for the dad it’s kind of a outsider experience, at least it was for me. I had no idea what was coming, what I was going to feel. It seemed like it only took 5 minutes. Talking to the drug doctor, talking to Shawnna. And then the guy said to me, “there’s the baby” I stood up and looked and said loudly enough that everyone in the room looked at me “OH MY GOD!” There was Addyson. We didn’t know if she was going to be a girl or a boy, but felt it was going to be a girl. She was of course covered in goo to put it nicely. But at that moment life changed. I had someone who I had to be responsible for. It’s not just “ME”, it’s her too. Addyson was a perfect baby. She slept through the night at 3 mos. Can sleep through a nuclear explosion. A smart clever little girl.

3. Ok, this is a cool feeling and a weird feeling, and I’m sure it’s probably a lot different for females rather than males. But babies, (fetus more technical term) kicking while in a tummy. I swear that is the coolest and weirdest feeling that irks me out and gives me chills and is cool. The first time it’s like what the hell. Then it’s like, do it again, do it again. Like I said I’m sure being female and having a rib kicked or liver kicked is a lot different that the way us males feel it.

2. To this day this still happens, it happened when I was a boy, and now that I’m 32. The first time I walk into Kinnick Stadium a year. Walking into that brick structure. The darkened concourse. Walking through the crowd to my section, it hits me. I get goose bumps. Walking up the ramp you can see the press box. Then the goose bumps get bigger. Then as I get closer to the top of the ramp, it’s there, the green field. The white lines. The players out there warming up. I get so pumped up and that is like a climax of anticipation of getting to see Kinnick and the Hawkeyes.

1. Any time my kids come up and just hug me and say “I love you daddy” Really, how can that be topped?

Who's in your 5? Stadiums

Ok, to steal from SoundOff again. What’s in your 5, favorite ball parks.

Now I haven’t been to a lot of baseball stadiums (only 4, Wrigley – Kaufman – Coors – Old Yankee), so I’m going to go on all ball parks, football and baseball.

I'm sure people who may glance by here have been to more, let me know what your 5 are.


5. Kaufman – nice stadium and heard they made some upgrades. Place a family could go and enjoy a day at the park.


4. Coors Field – pretty cool newer stadium, and had a really fun time there too


3. Ohio Stadium – simply the loudest stadium I’ve ever been too.


2. Wrigley Field – though it’s becoming more expensive of a trip, a game in the bleachers is worth it.


1. Kinnick Stadium – seriously, is there any other?