WHAT: It’s a tradition to help celebrate a storied rivalry and thank Iowa veterans and troops currently deployed for their service to our nation. Students, faculty, and fans are invited to cheer on the University of Iowa Army ROTC cadets during the final leg of the 27th annual Army ROTC Game Ball Run, which brings the Cy-Hawk football series game ball from Ames to Iowa City.
Cadets from Iowa State University’s Army ROTC program will run the ball to Roadside Park in Tama where it will be handed off to cadets from the UI’s Army ROTC program. UI cadets will then stop outside Belle Plaine, Marengo, and Williamsburg and run through the main streets of those towns before arriving in Iowa City.
The Game Ball Run will culminate with the Mighty Hawkeye Battalion arriving at the 2nd annual Beat State Pep Rally, welcomed by local veterans, students, and the public. Members of the 2004 Iowa football Big Ten Championship team will be at the rally, as well as Herky, the Iowa Spirit Squads, Hawkeye Marching Band, and ESPNU Road Trip. Attendees will also enjoy free food, games, and enter to win prizes, such as two free tickets to Saturday’s Iowa-Iowa State football game.
WHEN: Friday, Sept. 12
WHERE: Beat State Pep Rally: 6 p.m. – 7 p.m., east side of the Pentacrest
Game Ball Run schedule:
- 8 – 8:30 a.m. – UI Army ROTC cadets meet at Kinnick Stadium to begin journey.
- 12:30 p.m. – Tama
- 1:25 p.m. – Belle Plaine
- 2:25 p.m. – Marengo
- 3:05 p.m. – Williamsburg
- 4:05 p.m. – Game ball arrives in Iowa City
- 6:45 p.m. – Cadets run the game ball into the Beat State Pep Rally.
Background: The first Army ROTC Game Ball Run started on Sept. 19, 1987. The event was designed to build esprit de corps among cadets of the UI and ISU, but also became a fundraiser for the Multiple Sclerosis Society when a UI cadet was diagnosed with the degenerative disease.
UI participants in the Game Ball Run ride vans to each starting point and run approximately 10 to 12 miles total. Items will be also collected by the cadets to support local veterans and deployed military, and their families.
The Beat State Pep Rally is sponsored by UI students groups S.T.A.T (Students Today, Alumni Tomorrow) and Hawkeye Caucus.