'The Hawk' Part 2

After writing my article about Connie Hawkins I was interested to see if the University of Iowa made any note of him.  I figured the Hall of Fame would be a great place to start.

 I visited the Iowa Hall Of Fame last night  in search of any mention of 1960 recruit Connie Hawkins. Searching through the basketball cases, Hawks who went to the NBA list, Hall of Famers, and much more,  not one single mention of Connie Hawkins being a Hawkeye was found. Hawkins was only on the freshman team at Iowa and never played but if he was good enough to be in the NBA Hall of Fame, shouldnt Iowa grant him the same honor? Maybe as an apology?

It's been 50 years since Hawkins was a freshman at Iowa and was expelled due to being incorrectly connected with a point shaving scandal.   To date no one has given him the honor of being in the Iowa Hall of Fame.  Call me crazy but wouldn't Iowa be smart to list one of the NBA's greatest players as an alum?  Might help in recruiting just a bit don't you think?

If that's how Iowa treats someone who was falsely accused, what should happen with someone like DJK? Now obviously the comparisons between DJK and Hawkins are far apart as DJK played for 4 years and is Iowa's All-Time Leading Receiver, but some feel that DJK was wrongly accused as well and as the trial proceedings showed, they were kind of right.

DJK

I know that what DJK was involved in was wrong but when looked at his actual wrongdoing it was no worse than Adam Robinson or Jordan Bernstine. In Robinson's case the option is still “open” for him to return to the team.  It is very unlikely at this time but as Kirk and Justin Bieber said, "never say never." Jordan Bernstine was charged with Public Intoxication , he's still on the team. In DJK's case he has been exiled from anything Iowa related. What's worse, drunk and in public or high in your room?

DJK was a senior so he was gone anyway but to erase him from Hawkeye mention is a disservice. What about 10 years from now, or in Connie Hawkins' case 50 years from now? Will DJK be in the Iowa Hall of Fame? Will he be an honorary captain? Will kids be able to see his picture, Iowa cleats, jersey and helmet and say that's the greatest Iowa receiver of all-time?

I sure hope so, or maybe Iowa can create another building for "Other Athletes Receiving Votes."  It would be pretty full.

Joe Larsen

COmmunity Contributor