Barta, former players promote Hawkeyes at Iowa State Fair

Minutes into a meet-and-greet at the Iowa State Fair, Gary Barta faced the ultimate ambiguous question from an Iowa football fan.

“Do you think we're gonna do it this year?” an older woman asked.

“I do,” Barta retorted. “Do you?”

“Yes,” the woman responded. “I think it's going to be a good year.”

No one truly knows what “it” constitutes, least of all Barta. Is “it” a Rose Bowl berth, a Big Ten title or a New Year's Day bowl in football? But ‘It” didn't matter to Barta or two other former football players putting out positive Hawkeye vibes at the University of Iowa booth on Friday afternoon.

As a way to promote the university, Iowa has sent several sports figures to the state fair this year. Barta, Guy Bilek (1965-67) and Jon Filloon (1988-91) signed autographs for two hours Friday. Former wrestling coach Dan Gable did the same on Thursday. Tuesday, current wrestling coach Tom Brands will sign autographs and talk Iowa wrestling from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Colin Sander, 11, joined his 8-year-old cousin Olivia Sander and his uncle, Doug Sander, in line for autographs from Bilek, Barta and Filloon.

“I think it's really cool because I didn't get to see these guys play because I wasn't as old as I am now,” said Colin, who hails from Clarence.

Barta met people of all ages and backgrounds from throughout the state during his session. He was chided by one fan for football ticket prices. He was praised by others who like the program's direction. He even engaged in some verbal jousting with Northern Iowa and Iowa State fans who came through the line to talk sports.

“I just love the state fair,” Barta said. “I used to come when I was at UNI (as an associate athletics director).”

Barta brought his family to the fair and saw the grand champion steer - a 3,404-pound Angus appropriately named “Big Black” from Charolais and Joe Holubs' Stalcup Farms in Prescott and What Cheer.

“Iowans are very honest,” he said. “It's nice because you get a chance to see and to hear what they're happy about and what they're not about. It's a true slice of Iowa when you come to the state fair.”