Kinnick Stadium might switch to turf?!?
This news is blasphemy I say! BLASPHEMY!!! The University of Iowa is about to ask the state Board of Regents next week to allow for a replacement of the natural grass field with artificial turf at the home of the Hawkeyes' football team.
Athletic Director Gary Barta is making the claim that the stadium's 20-year-old drainage system needs to be replaced because it isn't draining properly. "The turf would be installed as part of a $2 million project" to repair the drainage system beneath the stadium’s current surface, which currently has massive blockage. The new turf is expected last eight years, which is how long most natural grass football surfaces last. Allegedly, gifts and earnings of the athletic department would cover the cost.
The University also expects it reduce annual field maintenance costs by $80,000 a year, which may be the driving factor in this insanity. In a year of economic chaos, spending a little to save money for the university in the long run seems like a wise idea.
Hawkeyes overtakes Yale in Distinguished Dissertation Awards
University of Iowa graduate Jessica Horst won a national award for her dissertation in social sciences, Moving Iowa into the No. 1 ranking for the most Distinguished Dissertation Awards received, surpassing Yale University. "Horst's dissertation on pediatric psychology focused on the phenomenon of fast mapping. The concept suggests children are able to quickly find a reference to a novel object in context, but it takes extended time to link a name to an object."
Wednesday News from around a frigid Iowa
After gunshot to head, Cedar Rapids girl on road to recovery - 4-year-old girl Isabel Ramirez was accidentally shot in the head with a .22-caliber bullet by another child who didn't realize the gun he/she was playing with was loaded. The little girl is adorable, so its good to see her all smiles in the picture included with the story. But if I were Isabel's parents, I would be beating someone for letting their kid play with a gun.
Council proposes 14 percent utility rate hike - It's clear Cedar Rapids doesn't get it. In a down economy, you can't triple the rate hike in city utilities. People are losing jobs, and the city wants to jump the rate as if that will help their budget problems. If people don't have jobs, they can't pay their normal utility rates, let alone pay 14% increase on top of that. Can someone with an Economics degree PLEASE talk to the CR City Council.
Judge rules against Coralville in annexation - Looks like Coralville didn't give a proper notice and/or didn't fill some paperwork right in their attempt to acquire more land to expand the city.
It's Tuesday...more Iowa News
One of these days I will be able to write more than Iowa News link dump posts...
Market erodes university endowments - The IC Press Citizen has a scary report about the U of Iowa. The University has lost $171M since end of the 2007 fiscal year. "A new survey released today reports college endowments fell 3 percent in the fiscal year ending June 30. In a follow-up, a smaller group estimated declines averaging 23 percent in the first five months of fiscal 2009, which began in July." I'll be writing more about this, when I get some time. I want to research this one further to do it justice.
UI may rebuild, move Hancher, arts buildings - FEMA deemed Hancher eligible to receive support for replacement or restoration options, and the University is trying to decide what to do. "University of Iowa officials must decide whether to renovate or to relocate and start over on two major art complexes on campus, including the renowned Hancher Auditorium." Hancher is one of the better known buildings on campus. If they rebuild, it better be bigger and better than ever.
Valley's Boffeli switches from ISU to Iowa - It seems one of Iowa's top recruits, Conor Boffeli, changed his mind. "The West Des Moines Valley tight end committed to a football scholarship offer at Iowa Sunday, two months after accepting an offer at Iowa State." Can you blame him? I think not. The Red Crows are are in shambles.
Monday Edition of News from around the Hawkeye State
Grad writing her way to success - Since graduating from the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop in 2002, Curtis Sittenfeld's career as an author has skyrocketed. In 2005, her novel 'Prep' was published by Random House. It quickly became a best-seller and earned a spot on the New York Times' 10 Best Books of 2005." I guess this Hawkeye actually has a few more books out, too. I wonder if she is single.
University of Iowa students may get tax break - The Chicago Tribune has some good news for Hawkeyes. "The Internal Revenue Service has designated a 'Midwest Disaster Area,' which includes the University of Iowa's Iowa City campus." This means that qualified Hawkeye taxpayers can receive a bigger education tax credit.
Hawkeyes fall apart, PSU erases Iowa's 14-point lead - Iowa Men's basketball has looked terrible as of late. I don't mean to kick the team while they are down, but it is clear they have lost the will to play to their potential. "Jake Kelly understands why the Iowa basketball team lost a big lead and the game Saturday night, and he wasn't shy about sharing it."
Out-of-wedlock births at record high in Iowa - Iowa's out-of-wedlock births climbed to 14,018 in 2007. Slightly better than one out of three deliveries involved a baby born to unwed parents.
Starting Saturday off with some News from around Iowa
Who owns Cedar Rapids City Hall? - "The city's City Council-appointed Veterans Commission operates the building and hires a director and a maintenance staff. The operation is financed with a portion of the city's annual property-tax levy designated specifically for the Veterans Memorial." It looks like they are thinking about finding a new building to house it all, as one big co-location place. Whatever their decision, the City of Cedar Rapids needs to hurry up so that its constituency can move on.
Harkin: $800 million for Iowa in stimulus bill - Sen. Tom Harkin is no Chuck Grassley, but he has always had Iowa's best interest at heart. Harkin "estimated Friday that Iowa will receive more than $800 million in education and infrastructure money as part of the giant economic stimulus bill before the Appropriations Committee next week."
Brands upset at 'double standard' for Iowa coaches - Tom Brands, the Iowa wrestling coach, was "doggone" mad Friday night after the Hawkeyes continued their winning streak to 30 by beating the No. 15 Wisconsin. We've got to sit there like we're in doggone church." These guys are all heart and energy on the Iowa wrestling squad. It is great to be able to say: We've always got wrestling.
What happened to former Iowa QB Drew Tate?
The other day, as I sat reading my hate mail received for bashing Jakie Poo, I started remembering Drew Tate. Tate, a former stud of a QB for the Iowa Hawkeyes from 2003–2006, exemplified every aspect of what Hawkeye Football is/was.
Coming from the high school football Mecca of the world, Texas, Drew brought an excellent high school career record with him to Iowa. He was a four-time first team all-conference honoree, the Houston Touchdown Club Offensive Player of the Year as a senior, the Houston Chronicle Greater Houston Area Offensive Player of the Year as a junior and senior, the Texas Gatorade Player of the Year and AP Offensive Player of the Year as a senior.
He also holds the Texas career records for completions (970), attempts (1,576) passing yards (12,180) touchdown passes (113) and touchdown passes in one half (7) guided team to four consecutive Class 5A playoff appearances.
I know all this because I was (and still am) a HUGE Drew Tate fan.
Wednesday's version of News from Around Iowa
One of Worst Iowa Basketball Droughts in 60 Years - Apparently everyone has taken notice to how bad we are doing. Mike Hlas writes a good post for the Gazette, stating "as far as putting the ball in the basket, it has [been] rare over the last 60 years when the Hawkeyes have endured a 3-game stretch like the one they’re enduring." You have to score points to win in basketball, right?
Success has familiar ring for Hawkeye women's basketball - Sometimes female sports at Iowa go unnoticed. So, from time to time we will try to write a tidbit or two about them. Accordingly to the Daily Iowan, "If history is an indicator, the 2009 women's basketball team might be on its way to a repeat regular-season Big Ten championship. Following Sunday's 74-46 victory over Northwestern, Iowa extended its winning streak to three games." Good Luck Ladies!
Deere lays off 120 at Davenport plant - I guess this should have been expected, but it is unnerving with John Deere lays people off. Deere told employees Tuesday "that 120 non-salaried workers would be laid off effective Feb. 16, and another 70 will be allowed to transfer to East Moline’s Harvester Works, company spokesman Ken Golden said." We need Ashton Kutcher to start wearing more Deere hats again.
Hard to believe 16 years ago we lost Chris Street
The Hawkeye world and the entire state of Iowa were rocked off their foundation 16 years ago today. Few can forget the events of that day, and sadly I am not one of those. I remember the day all too well.
It was January 19, 1993 and I was in my sophomore year of high school. I grew up in a die hard Hawkeye household, having a dad that made it a requirement to watch every televised football or basketball game. I was a natural hawk fanatic and I was always on the look out for Hawkeye information. 1993 was no different, and with the basketball team looking solid I was on high alert for anything and everything.
Monday Edition of News from around the Hawkeye State
What a day for Cedar Rapids - A great Gazette article about Kurt Warner and Zach Johnson, and just what they mean to the area. "Cedar Rapids natives Kurt Warner and Zach Johnson enjoyed super Sundays." Yes they did.
More than 40 alcohol-related charges filed this weekend - It looks like cops in Iowa City wanted to welcome students back by locking them up or putting them in the poor house. "From Friday to Sunday, a handful of Iowa City police racked up more than 40 alcohol-related charges in many of Iowa City’s downtown drinking establishments."
Hawkeyes end streak against Cowboys - "The top-ranked team in the country ended its nine-meet losing skid to the Cowboys and extended its dual winning string to 29, matching the fourth-longest streak in school history." I get so much crap for having been a wrestler in middle school and high school. But I don't care what anyone says, wrestlers from Iowa will kick your ass!
