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BTN player poll: Iowa's pink locker room is the B1G's best
Nathan Ford
Jul. 31, 2015 5:48 pm
CHICAGO – Kinnick Stadium's pink visitor's locker room, a concept that originated under legendary former head coach Hayden Fry, has become a well-known college football tradition.
Fry first had the locker room painted pink in the 1980s because, according to his autobiography, it is a passive color that he hoped would have an effect on the opposing team.
But according to a BTN.com survey conducted at Big Ten media days in Chicago, visiting players like the change of pace.
The website conducted an anonymous survey, asking 14 players a variety of Big Ten-football related questions, the only rule being players could not vote for anything associated with their schools.
Seven players said Iowa's was the best visitor's locker room. Michigan and Minnesota each got two votes.
The locker room is generally considered a fun oddity, but has also received criticism for possibly being sexist and homophobic.
Iowa is just 10-12 at home the last three years after going 23-5 from 2008-11.
l Comments: (319) 398-8252; nathan.ford@thegazette.com
The newly renovated visiting team field level locker room in Kinnick Stadium at the UI in Iowa City is seen during a tour for the media on Saturday, August 20, 2005. The visiting team locker room features pink carpet, lockers, and bathroom facilities.
The pink urinals and floor of the pink visitors locker room at Kinnick Stadium can be seen Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008 at Kinnick Stadium Iowa City. (Brian Ray/The Gazette)

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