Hubbard Park was transformed into a mosh pit of black-and-gold on Thursday night, as thousands of people stood in anticipation for rap star Lupe Fiasco to take the stage.
Frisbees flew in the background next to a bombardment of fans rushing into Hubbard Park around 7:30 p.m. for the event’s main attraction — Grammy Award-winning artist Fiasco. Between 8,000 to 10,000 stood in the dark, with loud music booming from the speakers, waiting for him to take the stage.
Then spirited Hawkeye fans stopped and screamed a welcome as the stage lights went dark. Beaming lights of blue and white flashed across the stage as Fiasco started his set.
SCOPE general manager T.C. Lockhart had envisioned Fiasco as the perfect act, specifically because he has never played in Iowa.
“We looked for an act who brought appeal and credibility as a musician,” Lockhart said. “Lupe is a Grammy-award winning artist and an authentic high-energy hip-hop artist.”
Hours before the concert began, a line formed stretching from the entrance of Hubbard Park to the intersection of Madison Street and Iowa Avenue for the start of the first Hawkapalooza, a free event aimed to pump up Hawkeye pride before the kickoff of football season.
Along with psyching fans up for athletics season, UI senior Tim McLaughlin, the chairman of the Student Committee on Athletics, hoped the event would spread awareness of the Hawks Nest, the official Hawkeyes student section.
“We want to enhance the culture at Iowa athletics events, because Iowa student fans are among the most passionate fans in the nation,” he said.
From around 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., people roamed Hubbard Park during the event’s pep rally, eating food from vendors and browsing merchandise tables. Among the various tents sat a VIP section for Hawkeye coaches, athletes, and other campus leaders.
Hawkeye play-by-play announcer Gary Dolphin approached the stage shortly after the rally’s start, yelling into a microphone to pump up the crowd.
The Hawkeye Marching Band, clad in gold polos, performed “The Fight Song,” and Hawkeye cheerleaders followed the routine shaking black-and-gold pom-poms into the air.
Dolphin introduced several Iowa intercollegiate teams, and McLaughlin rushed the stage, tossing out free food giveaways.
UI student Brian Kroeger stood in the crowd taking all the excitement in.
“I think Hawkapalooza has great makings of being a school’s athletic staple,” he said.
At 10:15 p.m., the concert over, the crowd surged back to dorms and downtown.
UI sophomore Steven Schultz was one of the eccstatic fans.
“The concert was absolutely phenomenal, and I would love to see him back next year,” he said with a look of contentment.