In the world of sports, traditions are as revered as championships. Sports traditions carry meaning far beyond the scoreboard. Yet among all these storied customs, one stands above the rest—not for its intensity, history or superstition, but for its humanity. The “Iowa Wave”, where thousands of fans in Iowa City turn to wave at the young patients watching from the top floor of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. It is the most beautiful and impactful tradition in sports. Simply put, it is the best.
Authenticity is what makes the Iowa Wave so powerful. It is not a corporate-sponsored halftime show or a choreographed fan gimmick. At the end of the first quarter of every home football game, the entire stadium—players, coaches, referees and fans from both teams—pause to turn and wave at the young patients in the hospital. It is not about rivalry or scorekeeping. It is about giving hope and recognition to kids who are fighting the hardest battles of their lives. It does not matter which team one roots for, everyone is rooting for these kids.
What other tradition in sports can claim such a direct and unselfish purpose? Most traditions serve the team or the fans. They are tribal, ritualistic and often aggressive in tone. The Iowa Wave flips that script entirely. It is not about division, but unity. It is not about what happens on the field, but what happens in the hearts of those watching. In a culture that often glorifies winning at any cost, the Wave is a reminder that sports can also be about empathy, compassion and community. The Wave gives hope to humanity and brings joy to so many children facing tough battles.
The visual itself is striking. A sea of hands in motion, visible from the windows of the hospital, with children, some attached to IVs or sitting in wheelchairs, waving back. For many of these kids, who are undergoing long, grueling treatments, it is a rare moment of joy and acknowledgment. They are not forgotten. They are part of something bigger, something joyful. That connection between the field and the hospital window is pure, unfiltered emotion—an arena full of people saying, “We see you. We are with you.” These kids are isolated, confined to a hospital bed surrounded by white walls. But the Wave reminds them that they are not alone. No one fights alone.
Even more impressive is how this tradition brings people together across rivalry lines. Fans of opposing teams participate wholeheartedly. You do not have to wear black and gold to understand the power of that wave. For one minute, everyone in the stadium is united in a gesture of kindness. It is a reminder that humanity transcends sports. No matter what the final score is, everyone leaves having participated in something meaningful.
Some traditions celebrate history. Others showcase fandom. The Iowa Wave celebrates life. And it continues to grow in stature. National broadcasters pause their coverage to highlight it. Visiting teams speak with reverence about the moment. It has inspired spin-off charitable efforts, including donations to the hospital and player visits. The Wave has become bigger than the game itself. It is a cultural touchstone for what sports can represent at their best.
Critics might argue that there are more storied traditions in sports. But storytelling alone does not make a tradition great—impact does. The Iowa Wave does not just entertain. It uplifts, it connects, it heals. In a world often lacking in compassion, that makes it not just the best tradition in college football, but the best in all sports. Our houses might be divided, but our hearts are united when it comes to the children in the hospital. For the kids, we wave.
