When I stepped foot on campus as a freshman, I had a realization about the University of Northern Iowa being a shadow university. This means some people are closeted University of Iowa or Iowa State University fans. These people think it is no big deal if they wear this clothing around campus. This is absurd because this is Cedar Falls, Iowa, home of the Panthers.
When the Panthers played the Hawkeyes in football this year, there were UNI students who debated or wore Hawkeye clothing to the game. This is not good for UNI because Northern Iowa is referred to as the little cousin of ISU and Iowa. Since students are willing to wear other state school clothing, it keeps UNI below ISU and Iowa’s tier. I do not play sports here, but if I did, I would not appreciate members of the student body wearing other state school clothing. It is disrespectful to the athletes and alumni of Northern Iowa.
There are ways we can get rid of the plethora of Hawkeye and Cyclone clothing on campus. Last year, there was a trade in held where students traded in their ISU or Iowa clothing for UNI clothing. This event needs to be held more often because it is very beneficial for the student body.
One way UNI can avoid having closeted fans is by advertising more in the state of Iowa. The university needs to put more advertising in Ames and Iowa City. This will remind the other universities that UNI is still here. It allows for Panther students to feel more represented throughout the state.
UNI needs to form more partnerships with clothing stores throughout the state. Many sports stores outside of the Cedar Falls area do not carry Panther clothing. This is a problem because the university is allowing the other two state schools to have a competitive advantage. Students not from the Cedar Valley do not have the opportunity to buy Panther clothing so they are forced to buy other gear. By expanding the Panther reach, UNI is more actively involved in people’s lives.
The last way to eliminate closeted Hawks and ‘Clones fans starts at Iowa high schools. UNI needs more interaction with high schools by actively using student teachers to promote the university. Education majors come here for the great education school, but some are closeted Hawk or ‘Clones fans. The education school should incorporate the promotion of the university in the curriculum of its students. Maybe not going out and preaching UNI, but student teachers should wear Panther clothing when they are at their high schools. This helps promote the Panther brand, and allows UNI to be better exposed to potential students.
These changes will allow the university to stop being a shadow university. The athletic teams will not be as disrespected when there are more Panther fans throughout the state. The days of Iowa State and Iowa clothing should be numbered on this campus, but students, faculty, and alumni are needed to come together to stop this abomination. As one, no one can stop Panther pride.
