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Change has been the theme of the Iowa football program in recent years. Take a look around
Kinnick Stadium and you will notice a lot of it. For a program built on stability and
consistency... change hasn't come easy around Kinnick Stadium.
One look at the massive video boards in each end zone or the state of the art press box
and Hawkeye fans know Kinnick stadium has come a long way.
Originally opened as Iowa Stadium in 1929, the Hawkeyes hosted their first game on October
5 of that year against Monmouth college, a 46-0 win for the Hawks.
Iowa media icon Bob Brooks has seen a lot in his days covering the Hawkeyes. Brooks
was fortunate enough to take in games at the old Iowa Stadium.
You could just grab a seat and then when the ball moved down to the other end of the field
you could move down with the ball. You can't do that these days of course. Kinnick Stadium
with the way they matched the brick to the old brick, when they have added things, has
kept the total ambiance of the Kinnick Stadium experience about the same.
Over the years Kinnick Stadium has hosted its fair share of memorable moments. A legendary
clash with Notre Dame.......A Heisman trophy winner in Nile Kinnick..... The 1958 National
Championship team.... And who could forget Rob Houghtlin's kick as number 1 ranked Iowa
defeated number 2 Michigan in '85.
For Hayden Fry and the Hawkeyes its a nervous 2 seconds. Rob Houghtlin has kicked field
goals of 35, 27, and 36. Here he is attempting a 29 yarder, which would beat Michigan. It's
on its way....and its good!
Iowa Stadium was renamed Kinnick Stadium in 1972 to honor Nile Kinnick, a World War II
hero and only Heisman trophy winner in program history.
It hasn't always been bright for Iowa. Legendary coach Hayden Fry dragged the program from
the depths of despair to rosey pastures. Fry retired in 1998 paving the way for former
assistant Kirk Ferentz to pick up where Fry left off. A few years later Ferentz had Iowa
back atop the Big Ten. Iowa football was back once again.
In 2004, The University announced a full scale 86 million dollar renovation to the press
box and end zones, expanding the seating capacity to over 70,000. The two year project concluded
in 2006 helping usher in a new era in Hawkeye football.
The change hasn't stopped there. This past year the north end zone underwent a facelift
adding 2 new video boards, something head coach Kirk Ferentz couldn't help but appreciate.
The impact of it really hit us, we had camps out there in June and the first time we were
down on the surface looking up. I had no idea how large it was going to be and it really
does feel different, so if you havent been to the stadium when you get the chance to
get in there its going to feel very different. It almost incloses that north endzone. It's
going to be really nice, but its also going to make it even more compact and even louder.
Its a fantastic thing. It will be good for the fan experience.
The Iowa football program's 84th season inside Kinnick Stadium is underway. There will be
ups and downs, heartbreak and pure elation. Hawkeye fans just know this....change can
be a good thing.