Two of the best traditions in college football reside in Iowa City, and it isn't even close.
The Iowa Wave was first conceived in 2017, when a viral Facebook post became more than was initially thought. After the first quarter of every home football game at Kinnick Stadium, everyone turns to wave to the children at the Stead Family Children's Hospital to show support for them and their families. A longer-standing tradition is the Iowa Kid Captain program, which enters its 18th year this season. This month, 12 pediatric patients were selected for the Kid Captain program, and one future captain got the opportunity of a lifetime.
Iowa Kid Captain Isaac Raue gave everyone the best moment of Kids Day
The Kid Captain program is one of the best traditions in all of college football and it is a way for the football program to recognize some very special kids and their families. While most people were focused on the numerous position battles and how players performed during the Kids Day open practice at Kinnick Stadium, a more important moment happened when Isaac Raue got to attempt a field goal with the special teams unit.
Spoiler: He nailed it!
The kick is goooood!! 🙌
— UI Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital (@UIchildrens) August 15, 2026
Our 2026 Kid Captain, Isaac, got to kick a field goal at today’s Kids’ Day @HawkeyeFootball practice! pic.twitter.com/z1Up7j9uvM
With cheers and applause ringing through Kinnick Stadium, Isaac attempted one field goal and knocked it through. The crowd erupted for him, and players hugged and high-fived him as he walked off the field. Isaac faced a terrible tragedy when a May 11, 2018, morning house fire claimed the life of his dad and left him with burns on 25 percent of his body. He was immediately rushed to the Stead Family Children's Hospital and spent 60 days in the burn unit. He has received multiple skin grafts and continues to receive treatment. It was a magical moment for the Iowa faithful as they got to cheer on Isaac and share their support for him and his family. Great job, Isaac!
Isaac is scheduled to be the Kid Captain for Iowa's rivalry game against Nebraska on November 27 at Kinnick Stadium. It was a great moment for Isaac and showcases how important programs like these are to college football. Some things are much more important than football, and this is definitely one of them. It is a crucial part of the program, and while it has little to do with football, it is a way for Kirk Ferentz and the squad to support the kids that need it most.
The 18th iteration of the Kid Captain program starts against Northern Illinois on September 5, with Harlow Taube, 6, from Orion, Illinois, serving as the Kid Captain.
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