University of Iowa Children’s Hospital has an all-star lineup in this year’s Kid Captain team, ready to kick off the season with the University of Iowa Hawkeyes football team.

Thirteen current and former UI Children’s Hospital patients will take their turn representing the hospital as Kid Captains during the Iowa Hawkeyes’ 2015 football season.

The Kid Captain program began in 2009 as a partnership between UI Children's Hospital and the Iowa Hawkeyes to honor pediatric patients and celebrate their inspirational stories. This year's Kid Captains were selected from 370 nominations from eight states.

“This is a group of strong, determined young people who truly represent the mission of our hospital,” says Raphael Hirsch, MD, physician-in-chief of UI Children’s Hospital. “Our patients and their families are the faces of inspiration and courage as they take on some very tough battles.

“I’m sure I’m speaking for everyone in wishing this year’s Kid Captains all the best, and offering a hearty congratulations to each of the patients and their families. We thank them all for allowing us to share their remarkable stories.”

The 2015 Kid Captains:

• Beau Atkinson, 12, Central City, Iowa
• Colton Barker, 8, Sioux City, Iowa
• Seth Barton, 18, Sherrard, Illinois
• Makayla Bell, 8, Pella, Iowa
• Logan Brown, 6, Mason City, Iowa
• Kaelea Butterfield, 11, Marion, Iowa
• Drake Fricke, 8, Marshalltown, Iowa
• Abigail Frye, 18, Muscatine, Iowa
• Reagan Kopsieker, 15, Hedrick, Iowa
• Lincoln Ortman, 5, North Liberty, Iowa
• Sean Peck, 5, Tipton, Iowa
• Nicholas Showman, 12, Pella, Iowa
• Laila Walton, 7, Cedar Rapids, Iowa

All Kid Captains and their families will be invited to Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium in August for a special behind-the-scenes tour. Each child’s story will be highlighted during the football season.

Visit the UI Children's Hospital Kid Captain web page for more information on each Kid Captain.