Another reason to love UNI football

[Blue42]

I made it to the game last night with my 6 year old son. After the game we usually go down on the field and throw the ball around for a while, which is always a lot of fun. But last night my son decided he'd rather spend that time getting some player autographs. So we brought along a sharpie and bought a UNI football at the south side souvenir shop.

My little guy went from player to player and held up his ball and pen. The players were very accomodating. Freeney, Surrency, Horne, Hunter, Goodwin, Dokes, Dex Hill and others were each very friendly to my son and made sure he got his ball signed. He had a great time, and as we walked out of the dome he couldn't stop talking about how much fun it was. It's pretty cool as a kid to watch a game, and immediately after it's over to walk on the field and talk to the players while they're still in full pads. I think I had as much fun watching him as he did doing it. Another reason to love UNI football.

[Jonsoup]

Hey Blue! You remind me of myself and my brother after the games when my dad was doing the Chain Gang. Myself and my brother would always ask players for autographs and they did it and shows how much the players respect the fans. My father always knew where he could find myself and my brother after he got done with duties on game day He trusted the players and coaches and respected them. To this day we keep in touch with some of them.

[panther2317]

Is there a better college football experience for kids in the state??? I think not!

[01PantherFan]

Great story Blue, and Panther2317 no I dont think there is ! and the great part is it is like that with most of the athletic teams at UNI, made me think of when I was a kid and my dad dropping us off to help with Coach Patton or others.

[Newsbreaker]

We've got good kids on this team, which is just how I like it. This is how we build this thing, one kid at a time. That was a great story, thanks for sharing it!

[panther2317]

If more and more parents in the Cedar Valley and beyond see the value of UNI sports for what it is (good kids from Iowa playing college sports - and it costs them a fraction of what it costs at other venues) and begin taking them to the DOME, McLeod, West Gym and Riverfront Stadium, then more and more kids will grow up Panther fans.

UNI has the best value and it's the most affordable ticket in the state for families. That's the way you create Panther fans. Now, people in Waterloo and other areas have to turn off the games on tv and drive the 10 miles or less to those venues and see how great it is for kids.

[igo4uni]

Very nice of the players to hang around and talk to the kids and sign autographs.

Class all the way.

peace

igo4uni

[Matt Trump]

As a former player I always enjoyed giving autographs to the kids. I wondered why they wanted "my" autograph since I didn't do a whole lot, but I was more than happy to oblige. There is nothing like having a little kid come up to you all apprehensive, ask you to sign their program, and then see their face light up with pure enjoyment!

[Cap'n Cat]

As a former player I always enjoyed giving autographs to the kids. I wondered why they wanted "my" autograph since I didn't do a whole lot, but I was more than happy to oblige. There is nothing like having a little kid come up to you all apprehensive, ask you to sign their program, and then see their face light up with pure enjoyment!

Indeed.

Reed,
Don't sell yourself short. You'll never know the impact you probably had on the program, no matter what you think you did or didn't do.

[Panther AC]

Do you remember...

...the "Shedd Head" look? Back when Kenny Shedd was an outstanding receiver for the Panthers, he wore a handkerchief tied backwards on his head. When he signed autographs for our two young sons after the games, it made such an impression on them that they would insist on wearing "Shedd Head" handkerchiefs as long as he played at UNI after that!

[GoCats05]

I know I've seen another post to this topic, but don't forget about the Panther Pals that Coach Mac is holding Nov. 4. Great way for kids to meet all the basketball players and get their autographs. They go out of their way to accommodate you for pics too. Plus you get a jr. pass to all the home basketball games all for the price of $50. A great deal if you ask me.

[JCPanthers]

I know I've seen another post to this topic, but don't forget about the Panther Pals that Coach Mac is holding Nov. 4. Great way for kids to meet all the basketball players and get their autographs. They go out of their way to accommodate you for pics too. Plus you get a jr. pass to all the home basketball games all for the price of $50. A great deal if you ask me.

It's actually $40...so even a better deal. Here is the link to the Panther Pals thread:

http://www.panthernation.com/showthread.php?t=1978