About the Image(s)

Title: The Wave
Camera: iPhone 14 Pro
Post-processing: Just basic Lightroom adjustments: white balance, exposure, contrast

One of the most revered traditions in college football happens at the University of Iowa for every home game. At the end of the first quarter, everyone in the entire stadium, including the fans, players, and coaches, turns towards the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital that overlooks the stadium and they wave in unison toward the people there. Patients and family members are lined up waiting for this moment, especially on the top floor, which is called "The Press Box" due to the great view of the game. The Wave tradition started in 2017 when an Iowa fan suggested on Facebook that everyone should wave at the kids. The idea gained momentum and it's now something that everyone, including opposing team fans, looks forward to at every Iowa game.

In 2025 my husband John and I took his Iowa family to the Penn State-Iowa game. We were in the Penn State section and it happened to be right below the hospital. One photo does not do the scene justice, so I created a series. Penn State lost that game by one point, but at least John and his family had a good time.