Too many Hawk fans around Ames

[Judoka]

In Iowa City, you may have the least trouble. The more miles you drive away from Iowa City, the more Knuckle-dragging Hawk fans you encounter

Yeah, other than during ISU/Iowa week every year I've never gotten any trouble in Iowa City or Coralville wearing ISU stuff. Of course, I'm not stupid and wearing it out to the bars on Saturday night or anything (mainly because I'd consider anybody wearing Hawk gear out to the bars in Ames to be an *******, so I won't be "that guy").

People need to stop with the persecution complex though. If there wasn't a market for Iowa gear in Ames and Des Moines then stores wouldn't sell it. Places like the Scheels in Jordan Creek wouldn't have more Iowa than ISU gear for sale unless people were buying more Iowa gear.

 

[Hawkcigar]

I've lived in Iowa City and Coralville and worked at UIHC for 30 years. I see people in Iowa State shirts every single day around here, especially at the hospital. It doesn't bother me in the least to see anyone in an ISU shirt or hat. Why would it...and how could I possibly be offended because of the shirt that someone chooses to wear? Wearing the shirt or the hat doesn't make you a d-bag. What you say or do while wearing the shirt, that's a different story!

Hell, about a year or so ago I ran into Jamie Pollard in the hallway over here and he was wearing an ISU polo shirt. I would bet no one gave him any grief over his shirt.

For what it's worth, there are places around here that sell ISU gear. The gift shop at UIHC even has ISU stuff for sale.

 

[Irresponsible]

People need to stop with the persecution complex though. If there wasn't a market for Iowa gear in Ames and Des Moines then stores wouldn't sell it. Places like the Scheels in Jordan Creek wouldn't have more Iowa than ISU gear for sale unless people were buying more Iowa gear.

I mostly agree, but my take is more like this. Running a business is a risky proposition. There is no guaranteed paycheck on Friday. Some business owners may not be getting rich, but they are getting by. To switch to all Cyclone gear is an unknown, and a risk they'd rather avoid. (even if they could potentailly attract more Cyclone fans, they are afraid to alienate their Hawkeye customers).

I think it's very similar to the smoking ban. I heard lots of bar owners say, "That dumb law is going to kill my business. My customers won't come here if they can't smoke." Several years later, they are still in business (and some are doing better). Not all businesses make great efforts to conduct proper market research.

 

[cyclone87]

Just to clear things up a little. The title I chose for this thread may have been a bit misleading, I don't really have much problem with there being hawk fans in ames or them wearing Hawkeye apparel. I was just disappointed and in all honesty a bit upset after that shopping experience at the mall. There's something I just don't like about catching crap for being a cyclone fan when I'm in Ames, it just shouldn't happen in my opinion.

 

[baller21]

I mostly agree, but my take is more like this. Running a business is a risky proposition. There is no guaranteed paycheck on Friday. Some business owners may not be getting rich, but they are getting by. To switch to all Cyclone gear is an unknown, and a risk they'd rather avoid. (even if they could potentailly attract more Cyclone fans, they are afraid to alienate their Hawkeye customers).

I think it's very similar to the smoking ban. I heard lots of bar owners say, "That dumb law is going to kill my business. My customers won't come here if they can't smoke." Several years later, they are still in business (and some are doing better). Not all businesses make great efforts to conduct proper market research.

and some went under, like Tradewinds in Ames, Tailgaters in Nevada, etc. If the smoking ban didn't hurt anyones business like you claim than why won't the state ban smoking in casino's.

 

[weR138]

I've lived in Iowa City and Coralville and worked at UIHC for 30 years. I see people in Iowa State shirts every single day around here, especially at the hospital. It doesn't bother me in the least to see anyone in an ISU shirt or hat. Why would it...and how could I possibly be offended because of the shirt that someone chooses to wear? Wearing the shirt or the hat doesn't make you a d-bag. What you say or do while wearing the shirt, that's a different story!

Hell, about a year or so ago I ran into Jamie Pollard in the hallway over here and he was wearing an ISU polo shirt. I would bet no one gave him any grief over his shirt.

For what it's worth, there are places around here that sell ISU gear. The gift shop at UIHC even has ISU stuff for sale.

This misses the point of the OP almost completely and JP was probably at the UIHC with his son who has cancer so I really hope no one was breaking his balls.

 

[VTXCyRyD]

and some went under, like Tradewinds in Ames, Tailgaters in Nevada, etc. If the smoking ban didn't hurt anyones business like you claim than why won't the state ban smoking in casino's.

I think Tailgaters may have closed for other reasons. I'm not sure they were even open after the ban went into effect. Although the last time I was in there they still had an old style cigarette machine at the entrance.

 

[bhutch65]

Absolutely no problems in Iowa City wearing Cyclone gear. Have 3 people on my block with Cyclone plates. Only 2 with hawk plates. More don't care one way or another.

In general, I have less problems with hawk grads in IC than with the TH's I meet in small town Iowa. It seems those that have never attended a game or even been to Iowa City are the ones that are most outspoken about ISU and heckle my gear. I generally ask some questions about the hawks and inform them of the answers to those they have no clue. 90% of them have no clue.

Iowa City is a great town to live.

 

[dbqhawk1952]

Ill never forget the time I wore my F*** Iowa shirt inside Kinnick one year, I think it wouldve been the 3rd win in a row back in the late 90's or so. I got a lot of nasty looks and comments. I wasnt being a tool or actin a fool like a lot of the Hawk fans do, like throwing **** and causing fights etc.

So you wear a shirt that says f### Iowa inside Kinnick and if hawk fan give you crap its their fault and you had nothing to do with it? So if I went to Jack Trice and did the same, I would not get any nasty looks from clone fans? I bet I would and I would feel I probably deserved them.

 

[weR138]

So you wear a shirt that says f### Iowa inside Kinnick and if hawk fan give you crap its their fault and you had nothing to do with it? So if I went to Jack Trice and did the same, I would not get any nasty looks from clone fans? I bet I would and I would feel I probably deserved them.

If it makes you feel better, I would punch you in the face or maybe just bounce a full beer can off you head.

 

[Hawkcigar]

This misses the point of the OP almost completely and JP was probably at the UIHC with his son who has cancer so I really hope no one was breaking his balls.

I agree that my reply really had nothing to do with the OP but this conversation, like most others, had expanded beyond the original post.

I knew why Jamie Pollard was probably at UIHC that day becasue I follow sports and was aware of that situation. Most people probably had no idea who he was or why he was there. I really hope his son is doing well in his battle. Kids with cancer are some of the toughest fighters I've ever seen.

 

[ozzie8]

As someone who has spent many a decade in the Iowa City/Coralville area, the amount of ISU gear/fans has increased a hundred-fold.

Thats what I thought too. I have family in Iowa City and get back there often and there is a decent amount of Iowa State apparel in the stores. Im an Iowa fan and it doesnt bother me in the least, why would it? Last I checked Iowa City/Coralville is in the state of Iowa, Iowa State is in Iowa, there are a lot of ISU fans in eastern Iowa, why shouldnt they sell it?

 

[LindenCy]

Absolutely no problems in Iowa City wearing Cyclone gear. Have 3 people on my block with Cyclone plates. Only 2 with hawk plates. More don't care one way or another.

In general, I have less problems with hawk grads in IC than with the TH's I meet in small town Iowa. It seems those that have never attended a game or even been to Iowa City are the ones that are most outspoken about ISU and heckle my gear. I generally ask some questions about the hawks and inform them of the answers to those they have no clue. 90% of them have no clue.

Iowa City is a great town to live.

Honestly, I would like to see us have an intense rivalry with them without the garbage, but the fans you are describing are a big part of the problem, as we all know.

 

[ozzie8]

Absolutely no problems in Iowa City wearing Cyclone gear. Have 3 people on my block with Cyclone plates. Only 2 with hawk plates. More don't care one way or another.

In general, I have less problems with hawk grads in IC than with the TH's I meet in small town Iowa. It seems those that have never attended a game or even been to Iowa City are the ones that are most outspoken about ISU and heckle my gear. I generally ask some questions about the hawks and inform them of the answers to those they have no clue. 90% of them have no clue.

Iowa City is a great town to live.

Yep. I have been to many Iowa - Iowa State games and usually if I see an argument or fight between the 2 fanbases, its usually absolute white trash on both sides that have zero clue about either university or either team. Good natured ribbing is about as far as it goes with normal people on gameday. This rivalry isnt near as nasty that some on message boards make it to be. The state of Iowa has good people and the majority treat each other with respect.

 

[Al_4_State]

The worst crap I've ever gotten for ISU gear not on game day was in Cedar Falls. I think UNI students are far ruder as Hawk fans than U of I students. U of I students who care about the Hawks have the passion, but lack the insecurity which causes them to last out.

Plus, it seems like a lot of U of I students don't care all that much about sports anyhow. The student section is almost always the first part of Kinnick to not be full when the Hawks are struggling.

 

[Al_4_State]

Yep. I have been to many Iowa - Iowa State games and usually if I see an argument or fight between the 2 fanbases, its usually absolute white trash on both sides that have zero clue about either university or either team. Good natured ribbing is about as far as it goes with normal people on gameday. This rivalry isnt near as nasty that some on message boards make it to be. The state of Iowa has good people and the majority treat each other with respect.

Any more, I'd agree. That said, during the last decade I saw a lot of (presumably) educated people on both sides engaging in borderline abuse of opposing fans. Seems like things have cooled down as far as idiots acting out, especially in Iowa City. I was treated like absolute **** in 2002, 2004, and 2006. Didn't take much crap in 2008 or 2010.

 

[WalkingCY]

Iowa sucks.

 

[Frak]

Yesterday I was shopping with my family at North Grand Mall. My mom went into the Strawberry patch to look for an ISU hoodie. I'm trying to figure out why its still called the Strawberry Patch, they have just about as much Iowa stauff in there as they do ISU, even near the front of the store now, but the thing that was most astonishing to me was that the girl running the cash register was wearing a hawkeye shirt. I mean really, its supposed to be a store primarily for ISU fans in Ames, I understand that there are a decent amount of Hawkeye fans in Ames now and they want to market to to those people too, but the store clerk really shouldn't be wearing an Iowa shirt, what a slap in the face.
To make thing even better after that we went to Tradehome shoes to get some shoes for my brother, the sales associate there showed him some shoes with black and gold laces in them, he said he couldn't wear anything with those colors. The store clerk replied by asking him to list the top three collegiate sports and which school was better, he was a real *** about it. The other associate then jumped in and showed my brother a shoe with cyclone laces, but it was a little late by that time and we left the store. I honestly couldn't believe it, I mean I already knew there were a lot of cocky and arrogant Iowa fans but that was just unbelievable. Iowa State fans need to have some more pride and turn Ames back into cardinal and gold country. This kind of stuff would never fly for a cyclone fan in Iowa City, why should it for hawk fans in Ames?

First off, the kid at Tradehome is a DB and I would have no issues calling his manager. Second, Strawberry Patch is a crap hole. That place sells about as poor of quality clothes as you can get...Wal-Mart level stuff. It doesn't surprise me that they sell a lot of hawk gear, just like Wal-Mart does. If you want Clone gear, look at UBS or the new Cy's Locker Room. They may be more expensive, but at least your purchase doesn't shrink two sizes the first time you wash it or fall apart at the seams after a month.

Ames has grown 10k in the last 15 years. And while maybe 3-4k of that is students, the university is not exactly hiring. So a lot of those people are just regular families that probably moved from a neighboring small town or have one spouse working for the DOT or USDA. If the people moving in have no connection to ISU, they could easily be hawk fans. But from my experience, a lot of the hawk fans around Ames are trash. I am betting that many actually live in Boone, pretty much the white trash capital of central Iowa. Those Boonies would be the ones shopping at Strawberry Patch for their sideways Fred Flinstone gear. If that's not it, it is usually just contrarians who get off on getting the stinkeye.

People have the right to root for who they want, but I will say that the lowest form of trash is ISU student hok fan who wears their gear on campus. Have some respect for your university and classmates. I'm not saying you can't root for iowa, but keep the tigerhok in your closet instead of wearing it to class. Also, I've seen a couple of UI plates in the ISU employee lots...the one that says HUDDLUP is lucky I don't walk by it every day.

Oh, one more thing. I would hope that our students have a little more pride than to allow two large hok flags to hang right at the intersection of Mortensen and Dakota in view of the BB practice facility. If I were a student, those would be taken care of one way or another.

 

[weR138]

First off, the kid at Tradehome is a DB and I would have no issues calling his manager. Second, Strawberry Patch is a crap hole. That place sells about as poor of quality clothes as you can get...Wal-Mart level stuff. It doesn't surprise me that they sell a lot of hawk gear, just like Wal-Mart does. If you want Clone gear, look at UBS or the new Cy's Locker Room. They may be more expensive, but at least your purchase doesn't shrink two sizes the first time you wash it or fall apart at the seams after a month.

Ames has grown 10k in the last 15 years. And while maybe 3-4k of that is students, the university is not exactly hiring. So a lot of those people are just regular families that probably moved from a neighboring small town or have one spouse working for the DOT or USDA. If the people moving in have no connection to ISU, they could easily be hawk fans. But from my experience, a lot of the hawk fans around Ames are trash. I am betting that many actually live in Boone, pretty much the white trash capital of central Iowa. Those Boonies would be the ones shopping at Strawberry Patch for their sideways Fred Flinstone gear. If that's not it, it is usually just contrarians who get off on getting the stinkeye.

People have the right to root for who they want, but I will say that the lowest form of trash is ISU student hok fan who wears their gear on campus. Have some respect for your university and classmates. I'm not saying you can't root for iowa, but keep the tigerhok in your closet instead of wearing it to class. Also, I've seen a couple of UI plates in the ISU employee lots...the one that says HUDDLUP is lucky I don't walk by it every day.

Oh, one more thing. I would hope that our students have a little more pride than to allow two large hok flags to hang right at the intersection of Mortensen and Dakota in view of the BB practice facility. If I were a student, those would be taken care of one way or another.

That person probably went to UI though, right? Nothing wrong with supporting your alma mater, imo.

 

[jahfg]

The worst crap I've ever gotten for ISU gear not on game day was in Cedar Falls. I think UNI students are far ruder as Hawk fans than U of I students. U of I students who care about the Hawks have the passion, but lack the insecurity which causes them to last out.

Plus, it seems like a lot of U of I students don't care all that much about sports anyhow. The student section is almost always the first part of Kinnick to not be full when the Hawks are struggling.

This is true and it isn't even close. UNI Hawkeyes are the worst.