Iowa Hawkeyes To Honor Late Coach Hayden Fry, Athletic Director Bump Elliott With Holiday Bowl Helmets

Sixteenth-ranked Iowa will honor former head coach Hayden Fry and long-time athletic director Chalmers “Bump” Elliott, who both died earlier this month, with a special helmet design during the Holiday Bowl against No. 22 USC on Friday night (8 p.m. on FS1).

The Hawkeyes have removed the Tigerhawk logos from their helmet in honor of Fry, who compiled a 143-89-6 record during his 20-year career in Iowa City. He led the program to 14 bowl appearances and at least a share of three Big Ten titles (1981, 1985 and 1990).

Fry passed away on Dec. 17 at the age of 90 after a lengthy battle with cancer.

This marks just the third time that Iowa has removed the Tigerhawk from its helmet since it’s unveiling in 1979. The first was for a 16-9 win at No. 13 Ohio State on Nov. 2, 1991, the day after six people died in an on-campus shooting. The second was for the 1996 Alamo Bowl (a 27-0 win over No. 21 Texas Tech) when Diane Mitchell — the mother of linebacker Mark Mitchell — was killed in a car crash.

“(We) talked to the family and I think we’re all in agreement that it will be a really nice thing to take the Tigerhawks off of the helmets on both sides,” said Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz. “A precedent was set. He did that twice during his time and (the idea) was well received by his children.”

The Hawkeyes have also added a “BUMP” helmet decal in honor of Elliott, who passed away on Dec. 7. He served as the university’s athletic director from 1970-91 and was directly responsible for Fry’s hiring.

“That was in the works a couple weeks ago,” Ferentz said.

Check out more photos of Iowa’s Holiday Bowl helmet below: