Catch up with Iowa legend Hayden Fry as he turns 84
- Thread starter storminspank
- Start date
INTIMIDATORHawk
Well-Known Member
This part was really, really funny.
Like I say, all the hay was in the barn after your Friday workout, so in pregame warm-ups I pulled a lot of tricks the news media didn’t even know about. One year (1985) we’re ranked No. 1 in the nation, and we’re playing Michigan, and they’re ranked No. 2.
In pregame warm-up, I had my centers and guards change positions. So the guards are snapping the ball deep to the punters, bouncing them on the ground, over their heads, the whole thing. Bo Schembechler sees that, he comes down and is standing there watching that. And I’m standing over to the side trying to keep a straight face.
Finally he says, ‘Fry, you’re not going to let that guy snap during the game, are you?’
I didn’t even look at him. I just said, ‘Coach Schembechler, we don’t plan on punting tonight.’ And I walked off.
Like I say, all the hay was in the barn after your Friday workout, so in pregame warm-ups I pulled a lot of tricks the news media didn’t even know about. One year (1985) we’re ranked No. 1 in the nation, and we’re playing Michigan, and they’re ranked No. 2.
In pregame warm-up, I had my centers and guards change positions. So the guards are snapping the ball deep to the punters, bouncing them on the ground, over their heads, the whole thing. Bo Schembechler sees that, he comes down and is standing there watching that. And I’m standing over to the side trying to keep a straight face.
Finally he says, ‘Fry, you’re not going to let that guy snap during the game, are you?’
I didn’t even look at him. I just said, ‘Coach Schembechler, we don’t plan on punting tonight.’ And I walked off.
okeefe4prez
Well-Known Member
Great read, but it reminds me why Ferentz is better.
HawkeyeMHA
Well-Known Member
Funny. I wonder if it really went down like that...
hawkeyebob62
Well-Known Member
Inciting a riot?
Loved Fry, love KF. As human beings, they don't make many like those two.
As coaches? I will ALWAYS pull for the HC of Iowa Football/B-Ball/Wrestling. I was even a little saddened when Coach Lick was let go.
Drakebulldog93
Well-Known Member
Inciting a riot?
Loved Fry, love KF. As human beings, they don't make many like those two.
As coaches? I will ALWAYS pull for the HC of Iowa Football/B-Ball/Wrestling. I was even a little saddened when Coach Lick was let go.
Lick could and prolly should have been the end of the Barta era. Fran may be his savior.
Great read on Coach Fry. He's old, but still crafty. A true Iowa icon. He made Iowa relevant.
MNHawkeyeFreak
Well-Known Member
I love Hayden. Thanks for posting, Spank.
hawkdrummer1
Well-Known Member
Creativity and a sense of humor not your thing..eh?
HawkeyeMHA
Well-Known Member
Fran isn't the savior quite yet
MeanDrunkR2D2
Well-Known Member
His mustache, turned 71. Rock on Hayden!
Great read.
I did not know that is where he retired to. I visited there when I was a young man. I remember the gas station being like a pawn shop, where people pawned spare tires and even car seats (not sure how they drove with no seat) for gas to get out of Nevada. Back then the whole town seemed like it was a rodeo arena and my heart missed a beat for a keno girl at the Peppermill (I was a small town Iowa boy and had never seen girls like that before).
I sure enjoy his stories. Pink locker rooms, switching guards and centers, he cracks me up.
I did not know that is where he retired to. I visited there when I was a young man. I remember the gas station being like a pawn shop, where people pawned spare tires and even car seats (not sure how they drove with no seat) for gas to get out of Nevada. Back then the whole town seemed like it was a rodeo arena and my heart missed a beat for a keno girl at the Peppermill (I was a small town Iowa boy and had never seen girls like that before).
I sure enjoy his stories. Pink locker rooms, switching guards and centers, he cracks me up.
Saginawbay
Well-Known Member
Nice read, and Happy B-day coah Fry!!
HawkIMalaise
Banned
Coach Fry is a good man. My Dad graduated from Iowa as dentist in 1973 and as a young boy grew up in the shadows of the west stands in Quonset hut; in married housing as my grandfather was a pharmacy student at the time in 1952 or so. Needless to say all things Iowa course through my father's veins. He has missed no more than 10 home games since 1967 his freshman year as an undergrad.
My dad turned 60 a few years back and as a surprise I tried to arrange a round of golf with Coach Fry in Nevada. Coach Fry is "listed" on whitepages.com, but without a phone number. I wrote him a letter via snail mail months before my dad's birthday asking if he would oblige to a round of golf in Mesquite with my dad. Months went by and I heard nothing of it. One day while working my cell phone rang and it said "private number". I picked it up and with this old west Texas drawl I heard "Ben, this is Coach Fry." I about fell out of my chair.
He went on to say that his cancer had forbid him to play much golf. He saw that I lived in the Houston area and we talked for a couple minutes on the phone. He apparently came to Houston for treatments now and again. He said that his mother and my dad had the same birthday and to wish "happy birthday" to my dad. Perhaps I am misjudging him, but I don't necessarily think Kurt would have taken the time to make that call.
My dad turned 60 a few years back and as a surprise I tried to arrange a round of golf with Coach Fry in Nevada. Coach Fry is "listed" on whitepages.com, but without a phone number. I wrote him a letter via snail mail months before my dad's birthday asking if he would oblige to a round of golf in Mesquite with my dad. Months went by and I heard nothing of it. One day while working my cell phone rang and it said "private number". I picked it up and with this old west Texas drawl I heard "Ben, this is Coach Fry." I about fell out of my chair.
He went on to say that his cancer had forbid him to play much golf. He saw that I lived in the Houston area and we talked for a couple minutes on the phone. He apparently came to Houston for treatments now and again. He said that his mother and my dad had the same birthday and to wish "happy birthday" to my dad. Perhaps I am misjudging him, but I don't necessarily think Kurt would have taken the time to make that call.
HawkeyeWalker
Well-Known Member
Welcomed my twins into the world today. Named my daughter Hayden. Lobbyed for her brother to be named Nile....but alas...it shall be Blake.
We live in Omaha...uphill battle to keep them Hawk fans...but by God I'll try.
Hawkeye Nation has two more fans as of today Though!
We live in Omaha...uphill battle to keep them Hawk fans...but by God I'll try.
Hawkeye Nation has two more fans as of today Though!
MNHawkeyeFreak
Well-Known Member
HawkeyeWalker
Well-Known Member
Thanks Freak! They were early at 32 weeks so need a little NICU time but babies and mom are doing well.
Got a cousin named Kirk so couldn't go there. I still got respect for KF but not Nile/Hayden level respect. He's gotta turn it around and maybe a few more bigtime bowls or another conf champ or two.
Hope it starts this year....
Less than 6 wins next year and anything less than 7-8 the following...and a change has to be mad. I will likely alwys have respect for him though...even given the issues....
HawkeyeMHA
Well-Known Member
Good story malaise. I have heard many people with their own stories like the one you mentioned, only it was kf on the other end of the line. Kf is a good dude, that u would bet the farm on.
