Cedar Rapids Weather
Our Town North Liberty: Hawkeye North AmericanBy Travis Bockenstedt, Our Town Producer
NORTH LIBERTY - Hawkeye North American isn't your normal shipping company. From million dollar computers, to medical equipment, and even entire home furnishings, they can move the impossible.
"We're an STI agent, and what that is, is specialty transportation incorporated. We ship a lot of high end value products," said Mike Walsh, their logistic sales consultant. While most of their customers get their valuables delivered in these familiar blue trucks, one gets an entire semi of its own. In 1983, company owner, Ed Huff decided he would donate his services to the Hawkeye Football Team. Today his company partners with Tantara Transportation as the exclusive carrier for the Hawkeyes. "It's very special to us. We hold it near and dear. Our employees are welcome to tailgate out of the trailer at the north end of Kinnick Stadium," said Dan Gerot, the chief operating officer. It's the cadillac of semis, complete with bunk beds and a flat screen television, this ride tops out over 200-thousand dollars. "It doesn't get driven very often. It goes to truck shows and is only driven by the owner. I'm kind of lucky I got to drive it today." And we were lucky enough to get a ride. As we drove through downtown North Liberty the Hawkeye truck was a head turner. While this isn't Dan's normal ride, he enjoys it when he gets to travel with the team. One benefit of traveling with the Hawkeye truck is the seats at the game. "I guess one of my more memorable away games was when Tim Dwight was playing. I was standing right in front of him as he almost broke for a punt return for a touch down right in front of me. I couldn't believe how fast he could run," said Gerot. The Hawkeye truck can be seen at home football games and in local parades. And even though its mainly used for the football team they do have requests to have personal deliveries made with it. Most Popular |
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