How to Vote for the ‘Iowa Wave’ for Best College Sports Tradition

Tradition is a huge part of why we love college athletics. The same fight song played for decades. A popular polka played during the fourth quarter. Or waving to sick kids and their families who are watching from the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Some traditions just mean more.

When Did the Iowa Wave Start?

The tradition of turning around after the end of the first quarter, and waving to the families watching from the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital began in 2017. Then, in 2022, in coordination with the Kids Captain Program, that week's captain gets to pick the song that is played when the wave happens at that week's Iowa football home game.

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How to Vote for the 'Iowa Wave'

USA Today is in the midst of its annual Readers' Choice 10 Best survey. One of the categories that you can vote for is the best tradition in college sports. Of course, here in Iowa, we're going to be partial to The Wave. But there are some other well-known traditions up for the award too. They include;

• The 12th Man - Texas A&M
• The Army-Navy game
• Blues Brothers dance - University of Michigan
• Cowbells - Mississippi State
• Enter Sandman - Virginia Tech
• Hawaii's Ha'a - University of Hawaii
• Howard's Rock - Clemson
• Jump Around - University of Wisconsin
• Kicking the Flagpoles - South Carolina
• The Little Three - Williams College, Amherst College, Wesleyan University
• Play Like a Champion sign slap - Notre Dame
• Purdue's Big Bass Drum - Purdue
• Ralphie's Run - Colorado
• Rolling Toomer's Corner - Auburn

How Do I Vote for the Iowa Wave?

Voting is underway and goes through August 18th. You can cast your vote for the Iowa Wave HERE. Iowa's salute to the kids and families at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital won the award last year. Let's go for the repeat!