Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/85024
A Handful of 'Feel Goods' By Rick Klatt Three random thoughts during the last week of September 2012 that share a common theme: They make you feel good… No. 1—Jaime On the last page of this month's edition of Hawk Talk Monthly is a story about Jaime Printy of Lisa Bluder's women's basketball team. The senior from Marion, Iowa, was the featured speaker at the UI Athletic Department's All-Staff meeting for the month of September and, from where I sit, she did exactly what UI Director of Athletics Gary Barta is hoping his invited guest does: Speak from the heart about what it has meant to be a Hawkeye and, in so doing, remind the 200 or so full-time staff the importance of what we do each workday. I suggest you ditch the rest of this column and jump ahead to the back page. I guarantee if you're a friend of the UI and a fan of the Iowa Hawkeyes, you'll be more of both when you've finished that page. No. 2—Kid Captains…and Honorary Captains I'm sure by now you know all about the Kid program, the joint effort between the UI Athletics Department and the Iowa Children's Hospital. The Kid program is a piece of the marketing partnership between our multimedia partner, Hawkeye Sports Properties, and The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. It's a partnership that very much moves both of us forward. What I like most about the Kid program is how it has been universally embraced. And, of course, why not? What's not to like? Incredible young people being saluted for their courage in the face of some incredibly long medical odds. On game days, I find myself wondering just how great the feeling must be for those young people when they get to share midfield with a former Hawkeye who typically dwarfs them in both size and strength. Then, I find myself thinking about the Honorary , who I can only assume, has taken a moment to count his blessings and good fortune aſter being introduced to, and sharing the state of Iowa's biggest stage, with what can only be argued as a real hero. 25 No. 3—ANF, Hayden and Casey As you probably are aware, the UI Athletics Department teamed with the Iowa Farm Bureau last August on the creation of ANF Plaza, the open space at the northwest corner of Kinnick Stadium. I liked the fact that we were embracing something so important to our state—agriculture, something exclusive to the University of Iowa—the America Needs Farmers initiative, and someone so special to the University of Iowa—Hayden Fry I don't know about you, but, for me, Hayden is a walking and talking feel-good story. And ANF is Hayden, and Hayden is ANF. That's why you'll always see a banner of Hayden hung each fall on the façade of Kinnick Stadium outside ANF Plaza. Now, while we're talking about banners at Kinnick, allow me to answer the question why a banner featuring Casey Wiegmann hangs in ANF Plaza. On Friday before the Penn State game (Oct. 19), two bronze plaques will be added to the west wall of the north grandstand in that space: One will describe in detail the history of the ANF initiative. The other will be a "Wall of Honor, " where student-athletes in the sport of football at the UI who have demonstrated the determination, work ethic, and character of the American farmer will be honored. Casey will be the first former Hawkeye to have his named added to the ANF Wall of Honor. A three-year starter for Hayden, Casey didn't let the fact that he wasn't selected in the 1996 NFL Draſt deter him from proving he belonged at the "Next Level. " No, like a farmer aſter a hail storm, Casey dug a little deeper and worked a little harder. seasons of playing football on Sundays, Casey retired to Iowa, where he's getting his hands dirty in the business of agriculture. 25