A tailgate, a rose and a really great cause

A tailgate outside Kinnick in June? Why yes, there was!

On June 6 the Iowa Ladies Football Academy met again for its fifth annual event. My Facebook friends created an event to tailgate once again. Last year's group of 12 grew to 17. We met 3 hours prior for light snacks and laughter.

The tailgate highlight was an appearance by Mary Ferentz, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz's wife and the force behind the ILFA. She was curious about all the fun we were having and wanted to see what we were up to. She was even nice enough to pose for a photo op with a majority of us.

Registration started at 11 a.m. in the press box, where we picked out a wristband color to keep us as a team (team gold) and picked up our shirts for the day. Then, we were escorted by the Nile Kinnick statue and into the home locker room and then to the field for autographs and photo ops with many of the players and coaching staff.

We practiced throwing, running, catching and kicking footballs with position players. There were lots of high-fives given throughout this practice time as well as staged photos with the players.

A light lunch was served and we were guided back to the field where each wristband group worked through drills with the players.

After drills, announcements were made by Kirk and Mary Ferentz. Chris Soules, the Arlington native who was last season's star of ABC's 'The Bachelor,” was introduced to the Academy attendees. Mary announced that this year's Academy raised more than $190,000 this year. Prizes were handed out to some of the top fundraisers.

(Every dollar raised goes to University of Iowa Children's Hospital. Ladies Football Academy has already donated $1 Million to the new Children's Hospital currently under construction. The next $1 Million is pledged to help University of Iowa Children's Hospital researchers find new ways to better diagnose, treat, cure and even prevent illness and disease. Discoveries made at University of Iowa Children's Hospital impact children and families all over the world!)

Next, we were taken to the Stew and Lenore Hansen Football Performance Center (the Hawkeyes' new facility) for a tour. This 23,600 sq.ft. complex is one of the largest in college football. From the trophy case to the huge weight facility, it was very impressive to see firsthand.

Yes, some 'Bachelor” stuff happened. After the tour, each attendee had a chance to get a gold rose from our resident Bachelor.

The tour then continued though the player lounge, swimming area, locker room and then to the very impressive weight room. Iowa strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle gave us a short presentation on the importance of nutrition for the players and how each player is monitored very closely to ensure that they recover completely after a workout.

We were then dismissed after the 5 1/2-hour event. Each attendee in my group came away with a smile from such a great day inside Kinnick with fellow fans and players and with a few achy joints and muscles from the drills.

Will we tailgate again next June? You bet! My group can't wait for next year's event.

Go Hawks!