Kickoff!

Feb. 4, 2006

• Read about Iowa’s 2006 recruiting class
• Follow the renovation of Kinnick!
• The Schedule: 2006 and beyond
• Listen to the Hawkeyes on XM Radio
• Watch and listen to Kirk, the Hawkeyes
• Travel with the UI Alumni Association to Syracuse

The Amos Dean Ballroom of the Sheraton in Downtown Iowa City was bursting in black and gold Friday night and it should come as no surprise. A sellout crowd of 350 of some of the biggest friends and fans of the nationally ranked University of Iowa football team gathered there for the kickoff event of FanFest 2006 – the three-day celebration of college football, Hawkeye style.

They came from Kansas, Texas and Colorado…Ohio, Nebraska and South Dakota…Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin. And, of course, Iowa.

They came – and when Karen Schulte, the moderator for “Chalk Talk I,” took the podium, they cheered. And, when she introduced Jason Manson they stood and cheered louder. And it grew louder with the introduction of Miguel Merrick, Marcus Paschal, and Kyle Schlicher before it reached its peak with the introduction of the Hawkeyes’ current field general, Drew Tate.

And, it was then, that Ted Fenton, a participant in all four FanFests, leaned over and whispered:

“Isn’t this something? Look at this. What a great way for these guys to learn about how much they mean to so many and what a great way for these fans to learn about them.”

FanFest….you might as well call it “Love Fest.”

Schulte pretty much confirmed that moniker when, during Schlicher’s personal review of the just-completed 2005 season, Iowa’s placekicker said that he was pretty sure Iowa ranked No. 1 in the country in kickoff coverage.

“Tonight, Kyle, it doesn’t matter,” Schulte interrupted and smiled. “There isn’t a soul in this room that’s interested in arguing with you!”

And just like that, FanFest was off-and-running as smooth as a 35-yarder off Schlicher’s well-trained right foot.

Chalk Talk I – the first of six Chalk Talk’s scheduled for this very busy weekend – is intended to be a question-and-answer bit and it was. Lots of questions and lots of answers. Lots of hoots, lots of hollers. And, most of all, lots of black-and-gold love and laughter.

Need an example? Schulte deadpanned, “Tate, you’re kind of….fiery, right?”

“Is that what you call it?” he fired back with a smile as large as his home state of Texas.

“Seriously, that’s just how I play,” Iowa’s hot-wired gunslinger added. “In practice, I try to joke around and keep it light. But, when I play, I want all of us to be on the same page and have success.”

To a man, the Hawkeyes who participated in Friday night’s opening act gave the Hawkeyes of 2005 a “B” grade. They agreed the team overcame some obstacles, got better, and hit their stride when they registered a “W” at Wisconsin.

“Let’s be honest, nobody thought we were going to win in Madison particularly after that game at Northwestern,” said Tate. “But, when we did, it was like a bomb went off in the program. We realized just how far we had come and how good we could be.”

Tate, Merrick and others said the pretty much that “the bounces didn’t go the Hawkeyes’ way” in 2005. But that the upside from that is huge.

“The younger guys, they learned that nothing comes free, nothing comes easy,” said Merrick. “Everyone learned again that you have to prepare for each game. This season probably put it all back into perspective again for us and you can pretty much tell it in how we’re working right now.”

In addition to the first Chalk Talk session, participants enjoyed an hour-long welcome reception that included more than just a handful of Hawkeyes and coaches. They also picked up their gift pack that included this year’s “FanFest Playbook” and a handsome travel bag that featured a stitched logo of the 2006 Outback Bowl.

The fans of the Hawkeyes also had a chance to review the items that are available in the silent auction, a collection of items ranging from a seat from press row in the old Kinnick Stadium press box to official game balls from each home game of the 2005 season autographed by Ferentz.

Speaking of Kinnick, a visit to the field level of the new south grandstand is among the activities that FanFest participants will enjoy on Saturday. Four more Chalk Talks — including one session by fan-favorite UI Defensive Coordinator Norm Parker, breakfast and lunch, their choice between Iowa-Michigan men’s basketball live in Carver-Hawkeye Arena or a “Game Watch” at the Sheraton, and the “Hawkeye Tailgate Party” inside “The Bubble” Saturday night is also on the schedule.

“Enjoy yourselves, ask questions and if you need help, you know who to ask. And, again, thanks for coming. We’re looking forward to a great weekend,” offered Matt Engelbert, the full-time “video coach” for Ferentz and the Iowa football staff member who coordinates the staging of FanFest with Toby Trail, the UI’s assistant director of marketing.

A great weekend? Matt, that is virtually guaranteed. We’re talking the Hawkeyes, their fans, and FanFest. It rarely comes more simple – and for the participants, better — than that.