I'm The Last Woman To Be on the Field with the Hawkeyes and Kirk

Sorry ladies, but I am among the last women who were on the field running drills in Kinnick Stadium with University of Iowa coach, Kirk Ferentz, and the Iowa Hawkeye football team.

The Iowa Ladies Football Academy, held on June 11, 2022, in Iowa City was the last. In case you don't know what the LFA is, let me explain.

Tami/Townsquare Media

What is the Iowa Ladies Football Academy?

12 years ago Mary Ferentz, the wife of Kirk Ferentz started the Iowa Ladies Football Academy, a fundraising event for the University of Iowa’s Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Mary is a 'do-er' and rather than wondering what she could do to help children and their families, she did something by creating an event for women who would help raise money for the hospital and have fun at the same time.

Brian Ray via HawkeyeSports.com

How Much Money Has Been Raised?

Each participant must raise a minimum of $500 to attend the event, though there's no maximum. This year, one participant raised $38,000. The total amount raised by 665 women was over $500,000. Over the past 12 years, the fundraiser has collected $3 million for the UISFCH.

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What Do Participants Do All Day?

The day-long event begins with meeting players on the field in Kinnick Stadium. Stations are set up so the women can run drills with the players, kick a field goal, throw a pass and get autographs. There's an opportunity to try on football uniforms, tour the locker rooms and get a good behind-the-scenes tour.

Tami/Townsquare Media

The day flies by quickly. One of my favorite parts of the day was asking questions with the players. QB Spencer Petras told us how he became interested in football.

Senior, Riley Moss talked about how he processes his feelings when the Hawkeyes lose a game.

One of my favorite moments was when the guys were asked what their 'go to' karaoke song was. Here's Spencer Petras and Riley Moss' response.

Will There Be Another Iowa Ladies' Football Academy?

Sadly this was the last one. After participating in the first-class event, I can see why. Not only does it take a huge amount of time to schedule and plan, but keep in mind; that it's recruiting season. While the event was happening new Iowa recruits were on campus. We didn't see them, but we know they were there. I'm so grateful to have participated. I hope one day the event can return. In the meantime, we can all understand the importance of recruiting the best players for our team. They deserve the time and attention.

If you'd like to see what it's like behind the scenes you can see the photos from the event here.

Behind the Scenes with the Iowa Hawkeyes-Iowa's Ladies Football Academy 2022

Have you ever wondered what it's like to be behind the scenes with the Iowa Hawkeyes? When you're part of the Ladies Football academy you get the full experience of what it's like to be on the field in Kinnick Stadium with Kirk Ferentz, coaches and the Iowa Hawkeye football players.

Take a look inside the locker rooms and other places regular people can't normally see.

Here's a bit of history.

The Ladies Football Academy has been a University of Iowa football tradition for over a decade. This year's event was the last; held on June 11, 2022. 665 women participated in the day-long event raising funds for the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital. Over $500,000 was raised this year alone.

Since the tradition began in 2010 (the academy was canceled two years during the pandemic) the program has raised nearly $3 million.

The ladies must raise at least $500 to participate in the football camp, but in exchange, they can meet the Iowa Hawkeye football players, coaches, and trainers, get autographs, tour the football facilities and run drills with the players. It's definitely a once-in-a-lifetime bucket list experience.

Let's take a look behind the scenes in this year's final Ladies Football Academy.

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