Fry Speaks To Hawk Fans At 2012 Fry Fest

By Chris Earl, Reporter

Former Iowa football head coach Hayden Fry greets former Iowa wrestling head coach Dan Gable at FRYfest at the Coralville Marriott on Friday, Sept. 2, 2011. (David Scrivner/SourceMedia Group)

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By Liz Blood

Story Created: Sep 7, 2012 at 9:11 PM CDT

Story Updated: Sep 7, 2012 at 11:46 PM CDT

CORALVILLE, Iowa - Amid hours and hours of silver skies and the occasional raindrops, the appearance of former Hawkeyes head football coach Hayden Fry also came at nearly the exact moment the sunshine finally poked through the clouds.

"I never dreamed of the wonderful support that we'd get from the Iowa fans," Fry said amid his five-minute speech in front of the Coralville Mariott. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, you really are the reason for the success of the Hawkeyes."

Fry, 83, embraced former Hawkeye head wrestling coach Dan Gable, who introduced Fry to the hundreds of fans lining the area.

All throughout this Friday, thousands of fans trickled through the convention area, shopping, trying on Fry mustaches and even eyeing the occasional Iowa State shirts and hats on sale.

The 2012 Fry Fest brings a different element in that the Hawkeyes' first home game is against the Cyclones this year, instead of a lower-profile non-conference opponent. The unmistakable shade of Iowa State red was spotted on a few occasions inside the hall.

Friday was the university's fourth annual Fry Fest, which usually boasts about 20,000 people to celebrate the day before the home opener. Named in honor of Fry, the coach who led the Hawkeyes to three Big Ten titles before stepping down at the end of the 1998 season.

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