Weekly Hawkeye Flickr Pic: The Chemistry Building

The Chemistry Building at the University of Iowa is a five-story structure located on a hillside above the Iowa River. It contains more than 50 graduate research laboratories, office space for students, faculty and staff, and various undergraduate instructional facilities. Several major remodeling projects have significantly improved and expanded the available research space and in the near future, further renovations and a new chemistry building are being planned.

The Chemistry Building is another reminder of the many great things going on at the University. This picture captures the beauty of a building that few outside of the Chemistry PH.D. will truly understand. The picture is from the jjgree's photostream on Flickr.

Friday Morning Hawkeye News

Brands suspends Hawkeye wrestler who vandalized two vehicles [DM register] - "University of Iowa wrestler Montell Marion has been suspended from the team as a result of an incident last weekend in Indianola, Iowa wrestling coach Tom Brands said today." Brands suspended him indefinitely. Marion avoided arrest after admitting he had broken out windows on two cars. Something tells me that if this kid comes back to the team, Brands is gonna kick the crap out of him in practice, methaphorically that is.

It's senior night for the Iowa women - [Radio Iowa] - "Five seniors [were] honored but it may not be their final game in Carver-Hawkeye. The school will host the opening two rounds of the NCAA Tournament and at 18-9 overall the Hawks have a good shot at landing a spot in the field." At least one of our basketball teams is doing good this year.

Brands likes new NCAA bid system [Hawk Central] - "The NCAA unveiled its qualifier allocation Thursday, and the Big Ten will receive 61 automatic bids for the NCAA Championships, 11 fewer than the conference has been awarded in previous seasons."

UI writers to host benefit reading and auction to help Cedar Rapids Public Library recover from flood damage [U of Iowa] - The Writers & Readers Rebuilt Auction takes place tomorrow from 1 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 28, in the Stewart Memorial Library of Coe College. This benefit reading and silent auction of books signed by the authors will help the flood recovery efforts of The University of Iowa Main Library and the CR public library.

NILE: a book every Hawkeye should read - Part 2

In the midst of our endless web searching for Iowa Hawkeye related information, we came across a blurb on the Des Moines Register. The blurb, titled 'New book on Kinnick coming out' mentioned Tom Lidd's new book about Nile Kinnick. Obviously, any reference of Nile gets our attention so we followed up and posted the link on our site.

Having a small (but loyal) following, I didn't envision that little blurb actually bringing me into contact with Tom, the author. But, as luck should have it, it did. Tom and I began an email communication over the next few days, discussing Nile and how our site could help him with his efforts. It was clear Tom was a die hard Hawkeye through and through. Below are excerpts from that communication for your reading pleasure and our very first, semi-exclusive IowaHawkeyes.Net Interview.

NERD: You are from Cedar Rapids. Have you always lived in Iowa?
TOM: I grew up in Charles City, Iowa, but I've lived here since 1979.

NERD: Did you attend the University of Iowa?
TOM: I attended the University of Iowa my freshman year, and then transferred to Wartburg College.

NERD: What inspired you to write a novel about Nile Kinnick?
TOM: I was at a restaurant in Cedar Rapids with a friend in April 2006. The conversation turned to Nile Kinnick. My friend knew I enjoyed writing and so she suggested I write a book about Kinnick. I wrote it in the form of a novel because, ultimately, I want to tell the story as a screenplay. The book seems to be catching the attention of Iowans. I believe a feature film could capture the nation.

NERD: It took you 13 months to write NILE. And you did this while working your full time job, as well. How did you manage to fit it all in? What was your schedule like?
TOM: When I look back I realize I averaged just over a page a day. Some days the process flowed. Other days I would get stuck on something like 'what should be his response?' or 'what should happen next?' I would try to write every night. But the weekends afforded the opportunity to get a few pages down and keep the story moving forward.

NILE: a book every Hawkeye should read - Part 1

Every state in the country has its hero. For Illinios, its Abe Lincoln. For Missouri, Its Mark Twain. For Iowa...its Nile Kinnick.

For those who may not know, Nile Kinnick is University of Iowa’s only Heisman Trophy winner and the namesake of Iowa’s football Mecca, Kinnick Stadium. Nile did it all, both on and off the field. He won the Heisman, Walter Camp and Maxwell trophies and was named Big Ten MVP in 1939. He served as class president at Iowa and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. After graduation, Nile went to law school for a year before enlisting in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

His life was tragically cut short when his fighter plane crashed during a training flight in 1943.

Time for more Tuesday Hawkeye News

University Hospitals to eliminate free parking [Hawk Central] - "University Hospitals is eliminating complimentary patient parking due to budget constraints, University of Iowa officials announced today." This is just great. If I get shot in the face, I have to make sure I bring enough cash to pay for my parking. 'Excuse me, sir...before I can operate, I need to check your parking ticket.'

Kelly earns Player of the Week Honors [Rivals] - "Iowa guard Jake Kelly has been named Big Ten Conference Player of the Week for his efforts in Iowa's 70-60 overtime win over Michigan on Sunday, the only game of the week for the Hawkeyes. Kelly, a 6-6 sophomore from Carmel, IN, contributed career-bests in points (23), rebounds (8), assists (9) and minutes played (45) as Iowa earned a season split with the Wolverines."

Ed Hightower: The Big Ten Legend [Mike Hlas Blog] - "Hightower is the one Big Ten basketball official that seems to be more of a lightning rod for fans than any other. Why does Ed Hightower hate the Hawkeyes? I’ve heard that question more than once." Ya, why does he hate the Hawkeyes. I have always wondered that myself.

Mock Football Draft Rankings for Greene and King

Shonn Greene is said to be the the number 4 ranked RB prospect in this year's draft on Fantasy Football Jungle, behind Knowshon Moreno, Beanie Wells, LeSean McCoy. Greene is said to be the the number 5 ranked RB prospect on Football's Future. His average Draft Pick Position is 43.

Top 4 teams likely targeting Shonn Greene.
Arizona Cardinals, Pick 31
Cincinnati Bengals, Pick 38
Cleveland Browns, Pick 36
New England Patriots, Pick 47

How about some Saturday Iowa Hawkeye News

Iowa players donate blood (the good way) [Marc Morehouse] - Marc Morehouse writes a blog post about Iowa players volunteering to donate blood. "Players and coaches from the University of Iowa football team will donate blood from 8 a.m.-noon Friday, Feb. 27 at the UI Football Complex with the DeGowin Blood Center."

Greene thinks his stock will rise [DM Register] - Former Iowa all-America running back Shonn Greene dismisses the notion that he was simply a one-year wonder in college.

Iowa doubles up on Indiana for 37th consecutive dual victory [CR Gazette] - "The top-ranked Iowa wrestling team posted its 37th straight dual win last night with a 24-12 victory over 18th-ranked Indiana, improving to 23-0 overall and 7-0 in Big Ten meets."

Iowa Supreme Court reduces damages, upholds ruling for UI suspension of fraternity [CR Gazette] - "The Iowa Supreme Court ruled today that Phillip Jones, the University of Iowa's former vice president for student services, will not have to pay punitive damages resulting from a lawsuit over the suspension of a UI fraternity for hazing and alcohol violations in early 2002." Let me get this straight...the fraternity hazes someone, gets in trouble, then sues the school and vp? Give me a break already.

Weekly Hawkeye Flickr Pic: Even Heros need Heros

This week's awesome Hawkeye picture comes from the Solon Fire Department as seen in the IOWA ALUMNI MAGAZINE for the BIG 10 NETWORK. In this picture, a Solon firefighter is wearing a University of Iowa Hawkeye logo on his firemen's jacket and helmet while battling a house fire. Now that is what I call a loyal and dedicated Hawkeye. The picture is from the Solon Firefighters' photostream on Flickr: Solon Firefighters.

Link to the photo: http://flickr.com/photos/iowan/2281964627/
Link to photostream: http://flickr.com/photos/iowan/

Wednesday Morning Hawkeye News

McCarney's daughter faces slew of charges [IC Press Citizen] - "Former Iowa State football coach Dan McCarney's daughter was arrested late Saturday after allegedly assaulting a police officer. Jillian Kristina McCarney, 21, faces the charges of disorderly house and assault on a peace officer, among others." If you put aside her teary mugshot and insistence that being Dan McCarney's dad is special, this girl is totally doable.

Five Hawkeyes headed to NFL Scouting Combine [Hawk Mania] - "Five Iowa players are among about 300 college football players who have been invited to attend the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, which begins today. Running back Shonn Greene, defensive tackle Mitch King, cornerback Bradley Fletcher, center Rob Bruggeman and guard Seth Olsen will go to Indy to be checked out by the pro scouts in almost every imaginable way."

University looking at budget cut options [IC Press Citizen] - "University of Iowa officials are considering a range of budget cut options including encouraging early retirement, contract buyouts, reduced retirement plan contributions and accelerating changes to employee benefits." I wish someone would offer me an early retirement package. Then I could focus more on this site.

Home sales in Iowa drop 27% in January [Radio Iowa] - "There were 1,189 homes sold in Iowa last month according to reports filed with the Iowa Association of Realtors. IAR President Terry Knapp says the total sales dropped 27% compared to January of 2008."

Monday Morning Hawkeye News

No crown, just victory [CR Gazette] - "The Hawkeyes won seven of 10 matches, but that wasn't good enough for Brands. Even the matches they won had some uncharacteristic developments, such as stalling calls and takedowns on the edge of the mat." Good 'ole Brands. Even when we win, he wants us to do better. Hard to argue when he has the results he does.

Hawkeye women win behind record comeback [CR Gazette] - "After falling behind Penn State, 43-23, early in the second half, the Hawkeyes came charging back, mounting a 26-4 run to retake the lead en route to a 63-57 win before 9,536 fans at the Bryce Jordan Center." Wendy Ausdemore had 15 points and 12 rebounds in the victory.

Hawks come up just short [Hawk Central] - "The depleted Hawkeyes hung tough with 20-ranked Purdue before falling 49-45 before an announced season-high crowd of 14,665 on Saturday at Carver-Hawkeye Arena." They did play a lot better, but when we can't rebound and our bench is depleted, its hard to win games. I seriously hope TL can turn this trainwreck around next year.