USA Today: Iowa Wave named best college sports tradition

University of Iowa students wave to patients in the Stead Family Children’s Hospital during a NCAA Big Ten Conference football game at Kinnick Stadium in Iowa City, Iowa. Joseph Cress/Think Iowa City

The Hawkeye Wave was voted as the Best College Sports Tradition by USA TODAY 10Best for 2025

The University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital opened in 2017 and was welcomed immediately by Iowa Hawkeyes football fans, away teams, officials and broadcasters at Kinnick Stadium during home football games.

Thousands of hands turn and wave to the patients watching from the windows overlooking the field in the nearby hospital.

Readers of USA Today voted for the Hawkeye Wave to be the best college sports tradition for a second year in a row in 2025.

Sports and rituals have long gone hand in hand, and many of the country’s colleges have their own unique traditions both on and off the field.

To settle the score on which tradition is the best, an expert panel nominated their top college sports traditions, then readers and fans voted for their favorites.

Read more from USA Today by clicking here.

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Find Your game day headquarters

Visiting to support your team when they play the Hawks or looking for a staycation to make the most of a Hawkeye victory? Here’s the best hotels to kickoff your stay.

Woodspring Suites Coralville

Coralville, Extended Stay, Hotels

Woodspring Suites Coralville

2680 James Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

Hampton Inn Iowa City / University Area

Hotels, Iowa City

Hampton Inn Iowa City / University Area

4 Sturgis Corner Dr. Iowa City, Iowa 52246 USA

Sleep Inn & Suites North Liberty

Hotels, North Liberty, Places to Stay

Sleep Inn & Suites North Liberty

485 Madison Ave. North Liberty, Iowa 52317 USA

Comfort Suites Coralville I-80

Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

Comfort Suites Coralville I-80

2431 James Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

Historic Phillips House Bed & Breakfast

Bed and Breakfasts, Downtown Iowa City

Historic Phillips House Bed & Breakfast

721 North Linn Street Iowa City, Iowa 52245 USA

Hampton Inn Coralville

Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

Hampton Inn Coralville

1200 1st Ave. Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

Holiday Inn & Kinnick Conference Center

Coralville, Hotels

Holiday Inn & Kinnick Conference Center

1220 1st Avenue Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

Hilton Garden Inn Iowa City Downtown University

Downtown Iowa City, Hotels

Hilton Garden Inn Iowa City Downtown University

328 South Clinton Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 USA

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

Coralville, Hotels

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites

970 25th Avenue Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

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Downtown Iowa City

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