Hlas: Cubs' trophy brings miles of smiles to Iowa City

IOWA CITY — "The line doesn't look that long," said a blue-clad fellow as he approached his fellow Chicago Cubs fans standing in single-file outside Iowa Memorial Union Monday afternoon.

He eventually learned how wrong he was.

The line for people to get their pictures taken with the Cubs' 2016 World Series championship trophy covered a lot of ground inside and outside the IMU, including a couple floors of a staircase. It led to the ballroom where hundreds and hundreds of Cub fans waited for their 15 seconds or so with the trophy.

The event was supposed to start at 5 p.m., but the Cubs began it a half-hour early to the delight of people who had been waiting hours, including UI students Natalie Sullivan of Bellevue and Paiton Schultheis of Clinton. They were first in line, having arrived at 11:30 a.m.

'It's worth it. It's been 108 years,' said Sullivan, referring to the last previous time the Cubs won the Series.

Her sister, Lexee Sullivan, knocked off work in Dubuque early to join her sister in line. 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' she said, and the Cubs' math supports that statement.

College kids formed the crux of the crowd, naturally, but all age groups were amply represented. Photos showcasing the trophy were taken with brothers, sisters, couples young and old, a parent with a child or more, best friends, you name it.

'I've been a Cubs fan for 59 years,' said Al Hodgeman of New Sharon, an hour drive from Iowa City. 'That's my age. I'd say this is a pretty big deal.

'My mom was a Cubs fans, my kids are. It's really special. A hundred-and-eight years, I wasn't going to miss it. I didn't have any problem taking time out from work today.'

The Cubs have brought their trophy to several cities in the Midwest. It will be at the Cedar Rapids Ice Arena Tuesday from 8 to 9:30 a.m. before proceeding to Waterloo and Mason City before the day is done.

If the Cedar Rapids interest is anything like it was in Davenport and here Monday, get to the Ice Arena before 8 if you want to assure yourself a photo.

'I'm so happy I got to see it,' said Iowa City's Gene Rzab, who is 82 and says he's been a Cubs supporter for 80 years.

'You have no idea what this means,' whispered Corinne 'Corky' Joslyn of Iowa City. She and Ty Medema are greeted daily by customer Rzab at their Lucky's Market workplace, and helped their friend get to the Union for this event.

'I'm still just shaking,' Joslyn whispered after Rzab got his photo taken with the trophy. 'There might be fans as loyal, but none are more loyal than him.'

One person after another had their own stories why this meant something to them. One said he was here for his late great-grandfather who used to holler at the Cubs when their games were on television.

'My mom's a huge Cubs fan,' said UI student Katrina Custardo of Plymouth, Minn., who borrowed an older gentleman's Cubs cap to wear for her photo. 'This is all for my mom. She grew up in Illinois. This is a belated birthday present for her. I'm very excited.'

Cubs vice president of communications Julian Green said it's 'like a campaign where the trophy is the candidate. This is much bigger than Chicago. The Cubs have fans across the region and globe.

'It's like traveling with a rock star. The trophy can't sing or speak, but its symbolism speaks louder than words. It's great.'

Even one fan wearing a Chicago White Sox jersey posed with the trophy here, but not before Green got assurance from her that she wouldn't strike a negative pose or use her photo of it for unflattering purposes.

'I'm a die-hard Sox fan,' UI student Haley Kozar of Plainfield, Ill., said, 'I was 8 when the Sox won it (in 2005) and I didn't get to go to the parade. I wanted to see the trophy. I'm a huge baseball fan. I'm here to support '

But when pressed, Kozar admitted she rooted for the Cleveland Indians against the Cubs in the Series. What was she supposed to do? She's a Sox fan.