The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Kid Captain Jackson Tijerina talks to a reporter at Kids Day at Kinnick on Saturday, August 10, 2019. Kids Day at Kinnick is an annual event for families to experience Iowas football stadium, while watching preseason practice and honoring this years Kid Captains.

Kid Captain Jackson Tijerina thrives with help of experimental treatment

Rylee Wilson, News Reporter September 6, 2019

A brain-tumor diagnosis kept Jackson Tijerina from playing on his flag football team when he was 5 years old.  Jackson, now 8, still loves football — especially the Iowa Hawkeyes. After being nominated...

Meet the first Kid Captain of the Hawkeye football season, Aidan Kasper

Meet the first Kid Captain of the Hawkeye football season, Aidan Kasper

Kayli Reese, Managing News Editor August 30, 2019

Besides riding his hover board outside, 14-year-old Cedar Rapids native Aidan Kasper never really got into sports. He prefers crafts such as origami, where he’s learned how to create nearly every animal...

Kid Captain Gabe Graber takes a photo with his family and Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz during Iowa Football Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, August 11, 2018. The 2018 Kid Captains met the Iowa football team and participated in a behind-the-scenes tour of Kinnick Stadium. Gwens story will be featured during Iowas first home game on Saturday. (Katina Zentz/The Daily Iowan)

Kid Captain may bring good luck to Hawkeyes in Outback Bowl

Sarah Watson, Politics Editor December 12, 2018

Gabe Graber, 14, became a lifelong Hawkeye fan when he took his first breath in the University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. It was Jan. 1, 2005, the same day the Hawkeyes stunned the LSU Tigers to...

Kid Captain Garret Schuster watches his football get signed during Iowa Football Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018.

Kid Captain shines as a competitive dancer

Elianna Novitch, News Reporter November 21, 2018

Ten-year-old Garret Schuster loves to dance. Because of a blood disorder, Garret can’t participate in contact sports and instead he uses competitive dance as an outlet. Garret, an Epworth, Iowa,...

Kid Captain Livia Jackson walks with the football team during Iowa Football Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018.

This week’s Kid Captain takes on illness like a champ after waiting years for a diagnosis

Kayli Reese, News Editor November 16, 2018

A multitude of tests resulted in no answers for the Jackson family about why Livia Jackson had episodes of extreme vomiting. It wasn’t until Livia came to the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s...

Kid Captain Mason Gonzalez laughs during Iowa Football Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Aug 11, 2018.

Kid Captain Mason Gonzalez thrives with the help of a ‘speech generating device’

Aadit Tambe, News Reporter November 9, 2018

Seven-year-old Mason Gonzalez has his own way of communicating and telling his “mom and dad he loves them.” Mason, a native of Jesup, Iowa, will be the Kid Captain for Iowa’s football game against...

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz laughs with the Still family during Iowa Football Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018.

Kid Captain overcomes life-threatening disease, exudes Hawkeye pride

Charles Peckman, News Reporter November 2, 2018

Harper Still loves to dance and help her mother cook, as many 3-year-olds do. But before becoming the Kid Captain for this week’s game against Purdue, Harper’s parents noticed she was experiencing...

Kid Captain Noah Hodgins stands in front of his banner during Iowa Football Kids Day at Kinnick on Aug. 11.

9-year-old Kid Captain fights respiratory disorder

Aadit Tambe, News Reporter October 25, 2018

While most kids ask their parents to make their favorite foods, 9-year-old Noah Hodgins loves to satisfy his taste buds with his own creations. The Cedar Rapids native aspires to become a chef.  Noah...

Kid Captain Harper Stribe waits to meet Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz during Iowa Football Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. The 2018 Kid Captains met the Iowa football team and participated in a behind-the-scenes tour of Kinnick Stadium.

The Hawkeye Spirit: Children’s Hospital and Iowa football celebrate a decade of Kid Captain

Katelyn Weisbrod, Managing Editor October 19, 2018

The Smith family pulled into a parking spot reserved for the Kid Captain before the Iowa/Illinois game on Oct. 7, 2017. Parked next to them was former Hawkeye and New England Patriot defensive end Adrian...

Kid Captain Christopher Turns smiles front of his banner during Iowa Football Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, August 11, 2018. The 2018 Kid Captains met the Iowa football team and participated in a behind-the-scenes tour of Kinnick Stadium. Each childs story will be featured throughout the 2018 Iowa football season.

Kid Captain received best birthday gift ever — a kidney transplant

Elianna Novitch, Politics Reporter October 18, 2018

When Christopher Turnis was born, doctors predicted he might not live for more than an hour after birth. Fourteen years later, Christopher, from Dubuque, will serve as this week’s Kid Captain for Iowa’s...

Kid Captain Mason Zabel holds a football during Iowa Football Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, August 11, 2018. The 2018 Kid Captains met the Iowa football team and participated in a behind-the-scenes tour of Kinnick Stadium. Each childs story will be featured throughout the 2018 Iowa football season.

2-year-old Kid Captain thrives with the help of an altered diet

Kayli Reese, News Editor October 11, 2018

When Mason Zabel came home from the hospital a few days after his birth, his parents had to take him right back because of the results of his newborn scans. His scans came back positive for phenylketonuria,...

Offensive lineman Ross Reynolds (left) signs a football for Kid Captain Ean Gorsh (right) during Iowa Football Kids Day at Kinnick Stadium on Saturday, August 11, 2018. The 2018 Kid Captains met the Iowa football team and participated in a behind-the-scenes tour of Kinnick Stadium. Each childs story will be featured throughout the 2018 Iowa football season.

This week’s Kid Captain loves exploring wildlife

Sarah Watson, Politics Editor October 5, 2018

This summer, 9-year-old Ean Gorsh saw his first moose in person. His family had repeatedly postponed a trip to Alaska as Ean popped in and out of the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital...

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