2006 Kinnick Stadium Rededication and Krause Family Plaza Dedication

On Friday, September 1, 2006, thousands of Hawkeye fans gathered to celebrate the rededication of historic Kinnick Stadium and the dedication of the Krause Family Plaza -- the new front door of Kinnick Stadium on Melrose Avenue. (Read related press release.)

The crowd heard from Andy Piro, Executive Director of Development, Intercollegiate Athletics; Gary Fethke, UI Interim President; Robert Downer, Board of Regents, State of Iowa; Dave Triplett, President of the National Iowa Varsity Club; Kirk Ferentz, Head Football Coach; W.A. "Bill" and Nancy S. Krause, Krause Family Plaza benefactors; and Gary Barta, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics.

The ceremony culminated with two members of the 1939 Ironmen team, Red Frye and Hank Vollenweider, unveiling the bronze statue of their former teammate and the stadium's namesake, Nile Clarke Kinnick, Jr. (1940 B.A.). As the 14-foot tall statue was unveiled, fans listened to Kinnick's Heisman Trophy speech.

The dedication event drew a large crowd.

The Iowa cheerleaders.

Andy Piro, Executive Director of Development, Intercollegiate Athletics, The University of Iowa Foundation.

Gary Fethke, Interim President, The University of Iowa.

Robert Downer, Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

David Triplett, President, National Iowa Varsity Club.

W.A. "Bill" (1957 B.A.) and Nancy S. Krause, Krause Family Plaza benefactors.

Bill Krause.

The Krauses' children -- Kate, Kevin, and Kyle -- are recognized.

Gary Barta, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, The University of Iowa.

Kirk Ferentz, Head Football Coach, thanks the Krauses ...

… and shakes hands with Dave Triplett.

Kirk Ferentz.

Kirk Ferentz.

The crowd prepares for the unveiling of the 14-foot statue of Nile Kinnick (1940 B.A.), the stadium's namesake and winner of the 1939 Heisman Trophy.

Going …

… going …

… gone. Red Frye and Hank Vollenweider, 1939 Ironment teammates of Nile Kinnick, unveiled the statue and pose here with it.

The last fully operational F4F-3 Wildcat -- the same plane flown by Iowa's 1939 Heisman Trophy winner Nile Kinnick -- flew over the Krause Family Plaza at the conclusion of the rededication of historic Kinnick Stadium.

The extended Krause family with the statue ...

… and the recognition plaque at the Krause Family Plaza.

Mark Jennings, Associate Director, Donor and Patron Services, UI Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, speaks at the dedication of the Paul W. Brechler Press Box. Brechler was the UI's former director of intercollegiate athletics and business manager.

Mark Jennings with Wanda Brechler, Paul Brechler's widow.

Gary Barta.

Gary Barta and Bill Krause.

Hank Vollenweider.

Red Frye.