Big '10 Welcomes Nebraska

Posted Tuesday, June 15, 2010, at 3:54 PM

Dressed in a cheerleading outfit with a tiger hawk on the front and little gold pom poms in my hands, I entered Kinnick Stadium for my first time at four years old.

I loved the atmosphere and watching games was amazing for me as I grew up. When I was 10 years old and we went to visit my brother, Cory at Iowa, I knew I would end up in the student section someday.

In all honesty, my original motive for attending Iowa was the love of football, the prestigious Big 10 Conference competitions result in lifelong memories.

Today, I am extremely happy I chose Iowa because of its outstanding journalism school, but it always comes back to football. My best memories at Iowa so far are the football games the past two seasons.

Penn State at Iowa -- 2008 -- last second field goal kick for an epic victory. I almost left that game because it was so cold. Ten of my friends walked out, but I stayed with three others to witness that historical moment in Iowa football.

Iowa at Michigan State-- 2009 -- last second pass to win the game. I was standing in the opposite end zone, way up on the second tier, but the instant Marvin McNutt caught that pass it felt like I was back in Iowa City. Hundreds of Iowa fans were jumping up and down and cheering. Walking out of the stadium, the Hawkeye faithful chanted "8-0." Witnessing the Hawkeyes go undefeated for the first time in school history made it a memorable weekend.

I have been very lucky to be at Iowa to enjoy these amazing seasons. Now I'm lucky enough to see a realignment of conferences that will change many things in the world of college football.

The Big Ten has consisted of 11 teams since they added Penn State in 1990. Now, the oldest conference in division I athletics welcomes a twelfth school, the University of Nebraska.

This decision has brought mixed feelings from people in the Big 12 and Big 10 conferences, but as a University of Iowa student, my opinion is positive, especially when it comes to football.

The Nebraska Cornhuskers have an excellent tradition, great fans and an overall impressive university. They bring with them the potential to fit right into the Big 10 and form new rivalries.

The rivalry between Nebraska and the University of Iowa is going to be strong. I have already seen it in other sports. The proximity of the schools will also factor in.

The stage is set for fall 2011. A new worthy opponent for Iowa to take on will make it an exciting season in itself. I can't wait.

Comments
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It always made me laugh that the Big 10 had 11 teams. Now that the conference is expanding, a name change is inevitable, right? Might I suggest the Big Disappointment?

-- Posted by Gabe Licht on Tue, Jun 15, 2010, at 4:04 PM

This is Randy, not Leah. Gabe your writing is obviously the rambling of an insane and consistently frustrated Cyclone fan. You should be happy - one less team for Iowa State to lose to in football.

-- Posted by Leah Cauthron on Tue, Jun 15, 2010, at 6:10 PM

Iowa State should be sending so many thank you letters to Austin, Texas right now...they saved your butts!

-- Posted by exspencerman on Tue, Jun 15, 2010, at 6:28 PM

Yeah perhaps Gabe and I are frusrated Cyclone fans! But we love our Cyclones win or lose. We are not fair weather fans like many Iowa fans. I was watching the ISU-Iowa game last fall at the Clay County Fair and Iowa fans are not gracious winners to say the least.

-- Posted by SSGM270 on Tue, Jun 15, 2010, at 7:46 PM

SSGM, I have been in both Ames and Iowa City for many games, and let me tell you that ISU fans are no more gracious winners than Hawk fans- although you have to give them a break for being excited because a win does come more seldom for them. Gracious losers? Please- I got harrassed IN Iowa City after an ISU loss to Missouri. Also, most Hawk fans I know have stuck around through the late 90s, so I guess I don't see your fairweather point, either.

-- Posted by notinia on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 6:53 AM

Just having a little fun with you guys - man you ISU fans are sensitive! Honestly I like to see the Cyclones do well too because it represents the state of Iowa. I'm just a much bigger Hawkeye fan. I cheer for all the Iowa programs, UNI, the smaller collees, it doesn't matter. And quite frankly I think we can all agree that both UofI and ISU stunk it up on the basketball courts last year. How bad do you have to be not to be considered among the 97 best teams in the nation. Not even a bid to the NIT? C'mon. That's bad.

-- Posted by randy cauthron on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 8:37 AM

I never cheer for ISU...they are the younger brother that always wants to be like big brother, but have to realize they will always play second fiddle in this state

-- Posted by exspencerman on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 8:45 AM

okay, exspencerman is not just having a little fun with you guys...He really hates ISU.

-- Posted by randy cauthron on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 9:47 AM

Iowa is gonna put the beat down on Nebraska this year in football.....

oh yeah

-- Posted by Bansky on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 11:55 AM

Of course you haven't seen the "fairweather point"

Notina! You don't want to!LOL! In all seriousness ISU has it's share of dingdongs too. My step-daughter goes to Iowa. While she is there I will support her and even wear a Hawkeye item or two!?!? But I love her and will be right beside her with her college ups and downs.

Long live the Cyclone State! LOL!!

-- Posted by SSGM270 on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 1:15 PM

Bansky just so you know Iowa doesn't start playing Nebraska until the 2011 season. This is the 2010 season. Also I'm sure that the huskers will be putting a beatdown on Iowa. I'm also not a fan of either I prefer the cyclones and yes it sucks the the big 12 is getting smaller but they will continue to be a better and stronger confrence than the big 10.

-- Posted by buss22 on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 1:26 PM

Well, I may not see your point, but not because I don't want to- I belong to 1) a family full of Iowa fans and 2) am an Iowa alumna. Therefore, almost 100% of the Hawk fans I know are true diehard fans :)

-- Posted by notinia on Wed, Jun 16, 2010, at 2:43 PM

Iowa State fans are the most fair weather fans I've ever seen when it comes to football. They don't show up at games and pay little attention when they are losing, but when they go 8-4 on a cream-puff schedule you'd think they were BCS contenders!!

I will admit though that they support their basketball team through attendance way better that Iowa fans do.

-- Posted by financeman on Thu, Jun 17, 2010, at 8:10 AM

I am so proud of you.What a great blog.It is

wonderful for me to be able to read these first

hand..Love Grandma Barb

-- Posted by barbshroyer on Sat, Jun 19, 2010, at 10:48 AM

I caught Nebraska joining the Big Ten. TAKE IT Iowa.

-- Posted by Nick Manning on Mon, Jun 28, 2010, at 1:21 AM

The collegiate life

Kylie Sebert

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I graduated from Spirit Lake in 2008 and am entering my junior year at the University of Iowa this fall. This summer as I intern for the Daily Reporter, I will blog about my life as a college student. My passion is college football, especially the Iowa Hawkeyes and I find this is a great opportunity to share my love for football with my readers. My dream is to become a sports reporter -- sideline reporter for college football -- and sharing my journey with you will be rewarding for me.

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Big '10 Welcomes Nebraska
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