Near Rose Parade, a sip of black and gold from native Iowan

PASADENA, Calif - You won't get booed if you pop into Pasadena's Copa Vida coffee shop - just off the Rose Parade route - wearing Stanford cardinal red.

But if you come clad in Hawkeye black and gold, which has happened a lot recently, manager Layne Sheetz might flash you his University of Iowa alumni pin and a grin that hasn't left his face since learning of his alma mater's invitation to the nearby Rose Bowl.

'It's really been surreal,” said Sheetz, 26, who is from Cedar Rapids, about the blending of his Iowa roots and his California life. 'It's been hard to explain to my co-workers how strange it is for it to be all coming together.”

Sheetz graduated from the UI in 2011 and moved in 2012 to California, where he now runs the Copa Vida location in Pasadena, just a half-block off the parade route.

In 2009, Sheetz said, he and his family members got ahead of themselves when the Hawkeyes ended up at the Orange Bowl instead of the Rose Bowl.

'So this year I was very cautious” with his enthusiasm, he said.

Going into the season, Sheetz said, he expected Iowa would have maybe three losses and end up in a less-prestigious bowl. It wasn't until the squad hit 10 wins that Sheetz began to wonder: 'Could this be the year?”

'I've never been to the game,” he said, despite his proximity. 'I was reserving it for when Iowa would go. I've been waiting.”

Almost immediately after learning of the Hawkeyes' Rose Bowl fate, Sheetz, his dad and his brother snagged tickets through the university. They've been counting down the days since, reveling in the buildup that has included plenty of Tiger Hawk-wearing customers this week.

'There have been lots of stories,” Sheetz said about guests who have recounted for him the lengths they've taken to make it to Pasadena, overcoming weather, travel woes, ticket prices and schedule conflicts.

During his time in California, Sheetz said, he has connected with a local group of Iowa natives who share the camaraderie of Hawkeye fandom. But this year has been special.

'It's a total unique year to be out here,” he said.

Even though Sheetz said he wouldn't miss the Rose Bowl for anything, he has to open the cafe Friday and work what surely will be a busy morning shift - during a Rose Parade that's expected to draw more than 700,000.

But, with so much Iowa hype, Sheetz said everything Rose Bowl this year has been pure nostalgia and joy.

'I love seeing the growing number of people wearing black and gold,” he said. 'It feels like I'm back home.”