The Iowa Hawkeyes caught the attention of football fans and non-football fans alike last season for starting a new college football tradition: “The Wave.”

No, it’s not your typical stadium wave in which fans throw their arms up in the air. It’s a wave with much more meaning, one that says “hello” to children who physically can’t make it inside the stadium.

Because the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital sits right next door to Kinnick Stadium, players, coaches and fans are able to wave to children and their families at the end of the first quarter.

Although in its infancy, it’s arguably the best tradition in college sports. In fact, it’s so revered that the Northern Illinois Huskies felt compelled to send a video message to the kids staying at the hospital ahead of Saturday’s game against Iowa.

Yes, Northern Illinois will be able to see the kids during the game, but they wanted to send a special personal message to go along with their mid-game waves.

“You are all extremely inspiring to us & we want you to know that we support you in your difficult journeys!” the team tweeted with the video.

Then various players and coaches delivered this fantastic message:

“We’re coming to town for the first game this week. We’re not asking for any of you to be our fans, but you can be Huskies if you want. Just know that we’re all big fans of yours, all of you persevering, your positive attitudes, your love for each other and your families. We realize you all have to do it the hard way. We want you to know that you’re all heroes to us. We’re really excited to be a part of the wave on Saturday.”

 

 

The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET, and it’s fair to say that everyone in that stadium, regardless of jersey color, couldn’t be more excited to look up, smile and give a friendly wave.