I was able to go to Iowa City to watch the Panthers’ first football game this season. 

Growing up an Iowa Hawkeye fan is always awkward when watching UNI and Iowa play each other in any sporting event, especially football. Even though I decided not to turn my back on my fellow Panthers, I still wore an Iowa hat in support of the Hawkeyes, but deep down, I wanted to see a Panther victory. 

It was strange to me; my friends and I were continuously tormented and heckled by Iowa fans as we made our way to a tailgate until kickoff. I knew during the Iowa/Iowa State game that Iowa fans could be vicious, but when they were rudely making fun of UNI, I’ll admit I was shocked. 

I wondered when people started hating on UNI so bad? I thought we were the neutral school of the state? 

Two weeks later I returned to Iowa City to watch the Iowa versus Iowa State football game and was proudly representing the Hawkeyes. However, when I informed others I went to UNI, most of them responded to this negatively.

I really did not understand why people viewed my University so negatively. Why was everyone in the state turning their backs on us? 

I have continued to think about UNI’s role in our state and cannot understand why people would viciously make fun of UNI. I think throughout its history, whether academically or athletically, UNI has always represented the state of Iowa in a positive light. 

Our teaching program has continually been named best in the nation, our business school continues to be highly rated on a national scale and don’t forget about the time we beat top-ranked Kansas during the NCAA Tournament in 2010 and made it to the “Sweet 16”. 

Now don’t get me wrong, U of I and ISU both have outstanding academic programs. However, when I look back on the last couple years, these two schools seem to have only been in the national spotlight for something negative.

U of I has consistently been in the top party schools rankings. In fall 2013, the phenomenon that was “Vodka Samm”, led outsiders to believe Iowa had become more of a Chicago Suburban Frat House, rather than a prestigious state University. 

Last spring, just days after Iowa State fell to UConn in the “Sweet 16” the school and its students received national media attention,. 

The Iowa State tradition of celebrating VEISHA proved students were unable to celebrate a 157-year University tradition in a civilized manner when riots broke out during the annual celebration, destroying property throughout campustown and sending students and other bystanders to the hospital. VEISHA has since been cancelled indefinitely. 

 92% of our students are from Iowa, which far exceeds in-state enrollment percentages at U of I or ISU. UNI offers big time possibilities, with a small University atmosphere, which I believe the state of Iowa as a whole represents. 

I am glad I get to call UNI home at the end of the day. While U of I students are walking 30 minutes to attend a class of over 500 students, I am enjoying the comfort of not having to travel around campus and will be sitting in a classroom of 30 students, as my professor, with a PhD, lectures and interacts with us. 

In my four years at UNI, I have yet to have a class taught by a TA. 

UNI has provided quality education for many members of my family and thousands of other Iowans. I support Iowa education but in the whole scheme of things, UNI is more of a little brother to Iowa and ISU than an enemy. I will always be proud to be a panther and it is always a joy when people who are not from the Midwest ask me where I go to school and then reply, “Isn’t that the school that beat Kansas?”