Worth the Waite... GO HAWKS!

At the end of one of the hottest most grueling weeks I can recall in my studio's history last week, I had a special treat waiting for me.

I've made no secrets that this studio owner is a Hawkeye fan. Everyone knows that. There's a reason the studio's colors are black and gold... my vehicle is the same colors... I have season tickets to Kinnick... My oldest son's room is his father's personal homage to the University of Iowa's football team.

So imagine my excitement when I got the call from Karen Waite this spring.

"We'd like to come to your studio for senior pictures for our daughter, Kristen."

To connect the dots here... Karen is married to Steve Waite. And for those of you too young to remember... Steve Waite is just a hair short of standing 7-feet tall and was the center on what many would argue was the best basketball team in U of I hoop history. THAT team... the 1980 Final Four team.

To further the history lesson, Iowa defeated Georgetown, 79-78 in the Regional Final in that year's NCAA Tourney and the guy that made the game tying and go-ahead free-throw with 5 seconds left? Kristen's dad.

It's one of my earliest memories... probably launched my Hawkeye obsession as an eight-year old... and while Coach Lute Olsen probably didn't draw it up that his center was gonna drive to the basket from 35-feet out to make that shot with capable shooters, like Ronnie Lester, Mark Gannon and Bobby Hansen waiting in the wings.... the play worked... and Steve Waite will always be remembered for that.

So, that's the background... and Friday's session would not disappoint as Kristen (no, guys... she doesn't play ball) her mom, sister Steph, and Aunt Margaret (who was ultimately responsible to turning the Waites our way) were here... it was a cooler day.... and the best part was that it was all-Hawk talk... all the time.

I didn't get a chance to actually meet Kristen's dad... but I've already demanded that if I'm fortunate enough to get to see lil' sis Steph next year for HER session... "Waiter" HAS to come. I'm sure that Kristen may tire of constantly hearing about dad's glory days... so I apologize in advance for dragging her thru that... but I will say thanks for the opportunity as a fan!

Finally, the girls didn't disappoint me as they tossed in the cherry-on-top Hawkeye shirt as our last outfit of the day... and I couldn't be happier. I had to get her a couple of Hawkeye "blends" and, of course... what Iowa fan doesn't dream of Roses on occasion? Fittingly.. we had to get our girl a rose petal image as well. Here's hoping to bumping into the Waites at Kinnick this fall... and perhaps Pasedena would be a nice reunion in early January.