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Who are the Hawkeyes' top five athlete icons of all-time?
Mike Hlas Mar. 9, 2010 10:57 am
The Big Ten Network has cooked up something for this fall where they count down the top 50 student-athlete icons of conference history. From this BTN release:
Big Ten Network President Mark Silverman said the network is creating a series that will engage and spark conversation among sports fans everywhere. "What will make Big Ten Icons stand out is the depth of the storytelling," he said, "focusing on collegiate rather than pro careers and highlighting previously unknown stories behind the success of these student-athletes. The rankings themselves are sure to generate quite a bit of discussion."
The top-50 list and the order are being determined by a panel of on-air talent, network executives, conference officials and long-time Big Ten observers.
Nos. 50 through 21 will be begin to be revealed daily in September, then the final 20 will be part of a countdown every Tuesday night that stretches into the spring.
OK, good gimmick. Let's focus it locally. Who are Iowa's five?
Well, you automatically start with Nile Kinnick. There are reasons why his name is on Iowa's football stadium. Good reasons that go beyond him winning a Heisman Trophy. Way beyond.
I think it's fair to say Chuck Long will be named, because of this passage from the BTN release:
Big Ten Icons will be supported with extensive on-air and online marketing activities to engage fans, beginning this month at the Big Ten Men's Basketball Tournament in Indianapolis. Eight-foot tall bobbleheads representing each school will be stationed around Conseco Fieldhouse during the event. The bobbleheads will include Red Grange (Illinois), Steve Alford (Indiana), Chuck Long (Iowa), Charles Woodson (Michigan), Mateen Cleaves (Michigan State), Dave Winfield (Minnesota), Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), Jesse Owens (Ohio State), John Cappelletti (Penn State), Drew Brees (Purdue) and Ron Dayne (Wisconsin).
So let's say Iowa gets five of the 50. Who should be among the other three and why? Remember, these are people who were athletes at their schools, not coaches, so Dan Gable doesn't qualify.
The floor is yours.
Nile Kinnick: Icon

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