June 9, 2005
They’re dusting off their black-and-gold, packing the car, and coming from far and near to reminisce and play a little golf.
“They” are dues-paying members of the University of Iowa’s Varsity Club and the activity is the Varsity Club’s annual Summer Golf Outing. Two days of activities will kickoff Friday evening at the Kenyon Practice Facility when Kirk Ferentz and members of the UI football coaching staff visit with letterwinners and their guests from all of the UI’s 22 varsity sports programs.
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“Most of the participants want to spend time with their teammates. To catch up, swap stories…, A round of golf is the perfect way to do that and to have some fun at the same time.”
Les Steenlage, executive director of the National Varsity Club
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“It’s a way for Kirk to not only spend time with former football student-athletes, but to meet and share experiences with other members of the extended Hawkeye family,” said Les Steenlage, executive director of the Varsity Club.
The activities will turn “competitive” when the shotgun sounds sharply at 8 a.m, Saturday, at award-winning Finkbine Golf Course. Hawkeyes of all shapes, sizes and, admittedly, golf skills will tackle Finkbine’s retooled bent grass fairways in a five-hour celebration of the Hawkeye spirit.
“Most of the participants want to spend time with their teammates. To catch up, swap stories…,” said Steenlage. “A round of golf is the perfect way to do that and to have some fun at the same time.”
The group will gather after golf for lunch, prizes and an update on activities ranging from the on-going multi-million dollar renovation of historic Kinnick Stadium by UI Associate Athletics Director Mark Jennings to a summary of the recent success of the UI baseball program by Jack Dahm, who will speak on behalf of all of Iowa’s head coaches.
Steenlage said that he is expecting upwards of 60 former Hawkeyes at this year’s summer event. The roster includes all-American and all-Big Ten student-athletes like former basketball standout Greg Stokes, wrestler Ed Banach and football player Jared DeVries and a number of Iowa’s staff including men’s basketball coach Steve Alford.
“It’s an important event for our program and our letterwinners. We place a very high priority at the University of Iowa on our people and developing relationships. This event and the Varsity Club in general is just another extension of that commitment,” said Steenlage.
Click HERE for more information about the UI’s Varsity Club.