PHOTOS: Coach Hayden Fry Talks Hokey Pokey and More
By Gregg Hennigan, Reporter
Former Iowa Head Football Coach Hayden Fry addresses the crowd during a panel discussion with members of the 1985 Rose Bowl Team Friday, Sept. 3, 2010 at the Coralville Marriott Hotel and Conference Center. (Brian Ray/ SourceMedia Group News)
By
KCRG Intern
Story Created:
Sep 3, 2010 at 9:59 AM CST
Story Updated:
Sep 3, 2010 at 3:00 PM CST
CORALVILLE — Legendary Iowa football coach Hayden Fry knows the words to the Hokey Pokey. After all, it became the trademark celebration of his teams after big wins.
But when he participates tonight in what he hopes is a world record for the largest Hokey Pokey dance, the 81-year-old Fry isn’t sure how spry he’ll be.
“I’m going to be honest with you, I’ll probably get my left foot in, but I’ll struggle getting it out,” he said with his trademark wit.
Fry was speaking during a panel discussion with his 1985 Rose Bowl team at the Coralville Marriott & Convention Center during the second-annual FRY Fest.
Organizers of the event are shooting for a spot in the Guinness World Records for the Hokey Pokey, which is to start about 6 tonight outside the hotel. The current record of 4,431 participants was set in 2003 in Toronto.
Already underway is what is billed as the world’s largest Hawkeye trade show, with more than 70 vendors offering a variety of Iowa-themed goods. There’s also a car show, pep rally and concert tonight.
The star, however, is Fry himself. Asked what the favorite thing he’d seen at the trade show was, 8-year-old Cale Yoder of Lone Tree said, “Hayden Fry.”
Fry led Iowa from 1979-98, won 143 games and three Big Ten titles and took Iowa to 14 bowl games.
Iowa comes into this season with probably the highest expectations since Fry’s heyday, ranked No. 9 in the Associated Press poll.
The last time Iowa was in the preseason top 10 was Fry’s 1988 team, which finished the season a disappointing 6-4-3.
Cale’s dad, Lane Yoder, was optimistic about this year’s team.
“I think it has a chance to be a real special season,” the season ticket-holder said.
Another former Iowa football coaching great was recognized Friday as Stadium Drive north of Kinnick Stadium was renamed Evashevski Drive in honor of Forest Evashevski.
For all of Fry’s accomplishments, Evashevski arguably is the greatest coach in Iowa history, winning three Big Ten titles and two Rose Bowls as coach from 1952 to 1960. He then served as Iowa’s athletics director until 1970.
Evashevski died last year at age 91
“You can’t talk about how great the Iowa Hawkeyes are without talking about Forest Evashevski,” UI President Sally Mason said.
She spoke at a ceremony (see a video here) held in the shadow of Kinnick Stadium that attracted more than 150 people, including members of Evashevski’s family and more than a dozen of his former players.
One of those players, Jim Gibbons, a star at Iowa and in the pros, remembered Evashevski’s presence, saying everyone knew when he walked into a room.
“He was a man above men,” Gibbons said.
More Good Stuff
Conversation Guidelines
Be Kind
Don't use abusive, offensive, threatening, racist, vulgar or sexually-oriented language.
Don't attack someone personally. Keep it civil and be responsible.
Share Knowledge
Be truthful. Share what you know and what you are passionate about.
What more do you want to learn? Keep it simple.
Stay focused
Promote lively and healthy debate. Stay on topic. Ask questions and give feedback on the story's topic.
Report Trouble
Help us maintain a quality comment section by reporting comments that are offensive. If you see a comment that is offensive, or you feel violates our guidelines, simply click on the "x" to the far right of the comment to report it.
read the full guidelines here »
Commenting will be disabled on stories dealing with the following subject matter: Violent crime, sexual abuse, Amber Alerts, Operation Quickfinds and suicides.
Most Popular >>