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.

Graduate by Hilton Iowa City

Downtown Iowa City, Hotels

Graduate by Hilton Iowa City

210 South Dubuque St. Iowa City, Iowa 52240 USA

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – Coralville

Coralville, Hotels

Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – Coralville

2571 Heartland Place Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

The Heights Rooftop Event Center

Alternate Meeting Space, Hotels, Off-Site Venue

The Heights Rooftop Event Center

901 Melrose Avenue Iowa City, Iowa 52246 USA

Dutch Country Inn

Hotels, Surrounding

Dutch Country Inn

110 East Avenue Kalona, Iowa 52247 USA

Residence Inn by Marriott Coralville

Coralville, Extended Stay, Hotels

Residence Inn by Marriott Coralville

2681 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

Element Iowa City

Downtown Iowa City, Extended Stay, Hotels

Element Iowa City

314 South Clinton Street Iowa City, Iowa 52240 USA

Comfort Suites Coralville I-80

Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

Comfort Suites Coralville I-80

2431 James Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

SureStay Plus by Best Western Coralville Iowa City

Coralville, Hotels, Places to Stay

SureStay Plus by Best Western Coralville Iowa City

200 6th Street Coralville, Iowa 52241 USA

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Downtown Iowa City

Wander through historic Downtown Iowa City with its charming pedestrian mall and eclectic mix of independent shops and eateries.

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Getting Here

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Our area consistently ranks as a top community in which to live, work, play, and raise a family. The recognitions listed below are just a few of the accolades our destination has received in the last few years.

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Restaurants

In Iowa City you may feast upon milk shakes made from whole slices of pie, slurp corn chowder produced from the freshest and best corn on the planet, and order a jar of bacon as an appetizer.

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