University of Iowa hosts pep rally ahead of Big Ten Championship

IOWA CITY - Never before have the Hawkeyes run the board in the regular season and come out on the other side with a perfect 12-0 record - so Iowa fans plan to celebrate accordingly.

This afternoon, University of Iowa students, faculty, staff and the general public are invited to a pep rally to precede Iowa's Big Ten Championship matchup with Michigan State in Indianapolis on Saturday.

The pep rally will be held from 3-5 p.m. at Black's Gold Grill, located in Petersen Residence Hall, 304 Grand Ave., the university's newest residence hall, which opened earlier this year.

Richard Pfarrer, resident education coordinator for Petersen, said the event began as a promotional event for the new residence hall, but soon morphed into a pep rally thanks to Iowa's somewhat-surprising undefeated regular season.

'We started with a small idea and it's kind of grown,” he said. 'We're really encouraging anyone to come out for the pep rally.”

With Iowa on the potential verge of a College Football Playoff bid, the atmosphere in Iowa City has been electric, Pfarrer said, noting that he anticipates that to show at the rally.

'There's just this kind of excitement in the air and you walk around town and you see people excited about being a Hawkeye,” he said.

The rally will include $5 menu specials and several giveaways including Hawkeye gear and gift certificates. Herky will make an appearance for photo opportunities from 4-5 p.m.

On Saturday, when Iowa and Michigan State face off in Indianapolis for the Big Ten crown, Petersen's multipurpose room will host a viewing party starting at 7 p.m. with snacks and beverages provided.

With seating for about 250 people, Pfarrer said he is hoping for a packed house.

'We're hoping for standing room only,” he said.