The I-Club tour is making its way around the Hawkeye state this spring and on Thursday night it made a stop here at the Waterfront Convention Center in Bettendorf.
Kirk Ferentz, Fran McCaffery, Lisa Bluder and wrestling associate head coach Terry Brands were all in attendance, along with athletics director Gary Barta.
For the Hawkeyes coaches, the Quad Cities is a special place to meet and greet the Hawkeye faithful.
“Especially in a state like ours and a program like ours where we rely so heavily for grassroots support,” Ferentz said. “Whether we’re trying to build a facility or fill our stadium or arenas, it doesn’t just happen. You know you really have to work at it. I think it’s really important we get out and say hello, but also say thank you to people that have been so generous.”
“We love coming out and mingling with the fans, because they’re what really makes it go around,” Brands said. “They’re the bottom line in the financial department and we couldn’t be more appreciative of it.”
“I love coming back to the Quad Cities, because it’s really special to me because I got my coaching start here,” Bluder said. “It was the first six years of Dave and I’s, our marriage, so it’s just a special place for us and even tonight we’re gonna catch up with some old friends.”
Of course all of the Hawkeye athletes are going through finals week over in Iowa City. As for the rest of the administrators and the coaches, they’ll make their way to five other stops around Iowa before the tour ends this summer.
For more Hawkeye coverage, follow @AdamJRossow and @HawkeyeHQ on Twitter — and now Facebook — and Hawkeye Headquarters on OurQuadCities.com all season.
Kirk Ferentz said he was late to red carpet at the #NFLDraft and missed the festivities. Naturally, he had another red carpet experience to tell us about. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/OzPUiGPMVi— Adam Rossow (@AdamJRossow) May 11, 2018
Thank you Hawkeyes for joining our coaches Lisa Bluder, Terry Brands, Kirk Ferentz and Fran McCaffrey! https://t.co/oRiCOGVv4V— The Iowa Hawkeyes (@TheIowaHawkeyes) May 11, 2018
Quad Cities I-Club event with @GaryDolphin, @LisaBluder, Kirk Ferentz, Fran McCaffery & @TerryBrandsUSA. With unintentional photobomb by @Laura_VandeBerg. Not pictured: @ChuckLongIowa, @jordanlomax27 & @mikegesell10. #Hawkeyes pic.twitter.com/DOC8aCCOK5— HAWKWAVIAQ (@Hawkologist) May 11, 2018
We had a great time with all of the Quad Cites @TheIowaHawkeyes fans last night! Thanks to all who came out to the @jointheiclub event! https://t.co/loYvzPVGeB— Gary Dolphin (@GaryDolphin) May 11, 2018