Nov. 26, 2012
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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 — Forget Black Friday, who’s ready for black and gold Saturday?
This Saturday the University of Iowa will host six athletic events for six of its athletic teams. That’s great news for the local commerce, and even better news for Hawkeye fans.
“There will be no shortage of Hawkeye events on campus next weekend,” said Lisa Pearson, director of marketing for the UI Athletics Department. “It will be a great day to showcase many of our winter sports. We’ve scheduled several promotions and giveaways for each event that will encourage fans to see the sites and cheer on the Hawkeyes.”
The day begins with the Hawkeye Invitational at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. UI head coach Marc Long and the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams kick off day two of their three-day invite at 10 a.m. Members of the Junior Hawk Club are invited to attend a beach party in the CRWC leisure pool beginning at 9 a.m.
When the clock hits high noon, UI head coach Fran McCaffery’s squad will serve as the opening act at Carver-Hawkeye Arena when the Hawkeyes host Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Mediacom Court. The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive men’s basketball trading cards.
Almost immediately following the men, Lisa Bluder’s women’s squad takes the floor for a 2:30 p.m. tipoff. The Hawkeyes host Northern Iowa on “Trisha Nesbitt Bobblehead Day.” The first 750 fans to arrive after 1 p.m. will receive a bobblehead of Iowa’s senior point guard. Free 3-point cards will also be distributed, and, while supplies last, fans can pick up free tickets to the game at any Iowa City and Coralville Hy-Vee store.
To make the doubleheader even more appealing, fans with tickets to either basketball game are invited to come early or stay late at no extra cost. Until Carver-Hawkeye Arena reaches a sellout, a ticket to one game provides complementary admission to the other.
Outside the friendly confines of Carver-Hawkeye Arena, the Iowa track and field team hosts its annual intrasquad meet inside the UI Rec Building at 2 p.m. Admission is free, and the UI sports marketing department will distribute team posters to everyone in attendance.
Following its morning session, the Iowa swimming and diving teams return to the pool at 6 p.m. for another round of competition at the Hawkeye Invitational. The first 100 fans in attendance at the CRWC will receive free Hawkeye sunglasses.
The Iowa wrestling team headlines the final event of the day when head coach Tom Brands and the Hawkeyes battle Iowa State for the Dan Gable traveling trophy on Mediacom Mat at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. The Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series event begins at 7:30 p.m. The UI sports marketing department will host a Hawks Nest Tailgate with free pizza, drinks and prizes, and the first 300 students will also receive a wrestling rally towel.
Saturday marks the second time in as many seasons the wrestling program headlines a main event at Carver-Hawkeye Arena. In January, the men’s basketball team hosted Ohio State in the first game of a CHA doubleheader before the top-ranked wrestling team hosted No. 2 Oklahoma State in the nightcap. Both events reached maximum capacity — 15,400.
“Last year was an exciting day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena, and we expect another eventful day this time around,” said Rick Klatt, Iowa’s associate athletics director of external relations. “Iowa City will provide a scene for one-stop shopping. There is going to be a tremendous amount of excitement all around the campus, and we’re looking forward to what should be a fun day at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.”
Visit hawkeyesports.com or call the UI Athletics Ticket Office at 1-800 IA HAWKS for ticket information.