On Saturday, June 12, 2027, the University of Iowa will open Kinnick Stadium to women and families for a special fundraising event called the Iowa Ladies’ Football Academy: Wave Edition. Hosted by head football coach Kirk Ferentz and the Hawkeye football program, the day‑long experience offers participants a behind‑the‑scenes look at Iowa football while supporting the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
What the event includes
Registrants will receive instruction from current Hawkeye players and coaching staff, giving them a taste of the training, drills, and teamwork that define Iowa football. After the on‑field session, participants will run onto the field alongside the team to perform the traditional “Back in Black” entrance and will be escorted into the stadium’s iconic pink visiting locker room for a private tour.
Celebrating a beloved tradition
The Academy also marks the 10th anniversary of “The Wave,” a heartfelt Iowa football tradition in which fans and players turn toward UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital during the first quarter to wave to patients and their families. As part of the event, all attendees will join in The Wave from the stadium, reinforcing the community’s commitment to the children who receive care there.
Fundraising requirements
Registration costs $100 and is non‑refundable. Each participant must also raise a minimum of $750 in fundraising support. All proceeds—registration fees and donations—will be directed to the NICU at UI Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital, helping to provide critical care for newborns in need.
How to sign up
Space for the Academy is limited. Interested individuals can register and make direct donations online through the event’s official website. For additional information, contact Erin Riley at 319‑335‑3305 or via email at [email protected].
Why this matters
Beyond offering a unique football experience, the Ladies’ Football Academy strengthens the bond between the University of Iowa’s athletic program and the broader community. By rallying families, friends, and supporters around a common cause, the event underscores the importance of caring for the most vulnerable members of our society—our newborn children—and demonstrates how local traditions can be leveraged for meaningful charitable impact.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
