Dec. 11, 2010
Go Bowling with the Hawkeyes!
As always, friends of the University of Iowa and fans of the Iowa Hawkeyes are invited to follow the Hawkeyes to the Valley of the Sun for their game against the Missouri Tigers in the 2010 Insight Bowl.
- For information about the UI Alumni Association’s official bowl tours, click HERE.
- For information about the official bowl tours offered by Winebrenner Red Carpet Travel click HERE.
Editor’s Note: The following first appeared in the University of Iowa’s Hawk Talk Daily, an e-newsletter that offers a daily look at the Iowa Hawkeyes, delivered free each morning to thousands of fans of the Hawkeyes worldwide.
IOWA CITY, Iowa — The Granddaddy of Them All has come a calling. Former Iowa football coach Hayden Fry is one of three individuals that will be inducted into the 2010 Rose Bowl Hall of Fame class Dec. 30 in Pasadena, Calif.
“This is a great honor and a great tribute to all the coaches and players that were a part of my program,” said Fry, who closed his Hawkeye coaching career as the winningest coach in school history (143-89-6). “It is also a great honor to represent the Big Ten Conference.”
During his 20-year run as Iowa’s head coach, Fry led the Hawkeyes to 96 Big Ten victories and three league titles with each earning his squad a trip to the Rose Bowl. His first Rose Bowl appearance came during the 1981 season, which ended a 23-year Iowa hiatus from the game. His program was then invited to the Rose Bowl in 1985 and 1991.
“When I first got to Iowa, fans were so appreciative that they gave us a standing ovation when we’d get a first down,” said Fry. “I thought to myself on the sidelines, what would they do if we scored a touchdown?
“Iowa hadn’t had a winning season in 17 years and in my third year, we won the Big Ten and went to the Rose Bowl. We then went again in 1985 with Chuck Long and the boys.”
Fry recalled the challenges his squads faced when preparing for the first two Rose Bowl game appearances in 1981 and 1985.
“We didn’t have an indoor practice facility my first few years, so during the first Rose Bowl we were working outside in the snow and ice. The second game, we went out 20 days early to get out of the snow — I think my players gained 11 pounds each.”
Fry’s third Rose Bowl appearance in 1990 might have been the most gratifying. The Hawkeyes earned the berth after posting an 8-4 overall record and a 6-2 mark in the Big Ten.
“I was really surprised with the 1990 team, as we were picked to finish seventh or eighth in the preseason,” explained Fry. “We then went on to win the Big Ten.”
Fry will be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame the same year that one of his former players, Bret Bielema, will lead Wisconsin in The Granddaddy of Them All. When asked about the significance, Fry was quick to point out a number of former coaches/players that will be coaching teams in bowl games in 2010-11.
You could picture Fry’s face lighting up through his voice on the phone, as he started rattling off a who’s who list from his coaching tree that will be leading their squads at the highest level — Bo Pelini (Nebraska), Bob Stoops (Oklahoma), Kirk Ferentz (Iowa), Mike Stoops (Arizona), Bill Snyder (Kansas State), Mark Hendrickson (Western Illinois), Jerry Moore (Appalachian State) and Bielema (Wisconsin).
“It breaks my heart when I am watching football on Saturday’s at my house,” said Fry with a chuckle. “I’ll turn on the television and my coaches will be playing against one another, and I know one will lose.”
Fry is no stranger to being recognized for his career success. In 2003, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame, and he has been honored with the prestigious Amos Alonzo Stagg Lifetime Achievement Award. Fry has also been inducted into the Baylor Wall of Fame, the Peach, Sun and Holiday Bowl Halls of Fame and the North Texas State Hall of Fame.
Fry will be the fourth person with Iowa connections to be inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. C.W. “Bump” Elliott was inducted in 1989 from his days at Michigan, while Bob Jeter and Ken Ploen earned Hall passes in 1994 and 1997, respectively.
Fry will officially be installed at the Rose Ball Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony presented by Wells Fargo at noon on Dec. 30. He will have former assistant and Wisconsin Director of Athletics Barry Alvarez present him at the ceremony.
“When you’re watching the Tournament of Roses Parade on New Year’s Day, I’ll wave to you,” said Fry. “I’ll be the one wearing the cowboy hat.”