DAVENPORT, Iowa -
Two of the Iowa Hawkeyes' biggest fans are hoping for another win this Saturday when Iowa takes on Northwestern at Kinnick Stadium.
Dick Woodard and Steve Schalk are good friends from the Quad Cities with strong ties to the Hawkeyes. Steve Schalk hasn't missed an Iowa home game in more than 40 years. Dick Woodard is a former Iowa player and World War II veteran who has a very special association with Iowa's come from behind win over Michigan State on October 24th.
Woodard first ran out onto the field at Kinnick Stadium in 1944 as a starting player for the Hawkeyes.
"I played for Iowa back in 1944, 1946, 1947, and 1948. I played center/linebacker, we played both ways then."
Davenport native Steve Schalk is an avid Iowa fan and supporter. He's attended every Iowa homegame since 1968.
"I started attending football games when I was 4 with my parents so it was kind of a family affair."
Woodard's is an all-American story. Following his freshman year at Iowa, he spent more than a year overseas after being drafted into World War II. After the war he returned to Iowa City for two more seasons with the Hawkeyes. Following his senior year, Woodard went on to the All- American League before being drafted again, not to the Navy, but to the National Football League.
Football runs in Dick's family. His brother Ralph also played for Iowa. Ralph's grandson and Dick's great nephew, Kirk Cousins, is the current quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans. It was his fourth quarter touchdown pass against Iowa that nearly ended the Hawkeyes' hopes of an undefeated season..
"So I left a message that I was real proud of him, he played real good, and I thought he looked like a pro. Until we got it back 34 seconds later. We scored the winning touchdown."
Iowa kept a zero in their loss column Saturday with another come from behind victory against Indiana which keeps them in the race for a chance at the national championship game.
Woodard has this advice for the team that's given him and his family so many memories and times spent together on football Saturdays:
"Win the game and put out for the coaches. That's what they need to do."
Dick Woodard and Steve Schalk are good friends from the Quad Cities with strong ties to the Hawkeyes. Steve Schalk hasn't missed an Iowa home game in more than 40 years. Dick Woodard is a former Iowa player and World War II veteran who has a very special association with Iowa's come from behind win over Michigan State on October 24th.
Woodard first ran out onto the field at Kinnick Stadium in 1944 as a starting player for the Hawkeyes.
"I played for Iowa back in 1944, 1946, 1947, and 1948. I played center/linebacker, we played both ways then."
Davenport native Steve Schalk is an avid Iowa fan and supporter. He's attended every Iowa homegame since 1968.
"I started attending football games when I was 4 with my parents so it was kind of a family affair."
Woodard's is an all-American story. Following his freshman year at Iowa, he spent more than a year overseas after being drafted into World War II. After the war he returned to Iowa City for two more seasons with the Hawkeyes. Following his senior year, Woodard went on to the All- American League before being drafted again, not to the Navy, but to the National Football League.
Football runs in Dick's family. His brother Ralph also played for Iowa. Ralph's grandson and Dick's great nephew, Kirk Cousins, is the current quarterback for the Michigan State Spartans. It was his fourth quarter touchdown pass against Iowa that nearly ended the Hawkeyes' hopes of an undefeated season..
"So I left a message that I was real proud of him, he played real good, and I thought he looked like a pro. Until we got it back 34 seconds later. We scored the winning touchdown."
Iowa kept a zero in their loss column Saturday with another come from behind victory against Indiana which keeps them in the race for a chance at the national championship game.
Woodard has this advice for the team that's given him and his family so many memories and times spent together on football Saturdays:
"Win the game and put out for the coaches. That's what they need to do."
