A limited-edition bobblehead of the iconic Hawkins Drive water tower is on pre-sale, just as the structure is being dismantled after 66 years overlooking Kinnick Stadium.
The 7-inch-tall replica, crafted by the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame, honors the landmark that became a beloved part of the Hawkeyes’ game-day experience since 1960.
Only 2,026 units will be produced — a number tied to the year the tower was built.
Each figure features the Tigerhawk emblem on one side and the word “Iowa” on the other, faithfully reproducing the tower’s unmistakable design.
The bobblehead is priced at $30, not including shipping and handling fees.
Pre-orders are live, with shipments scheduled to begin in December 2026.
Fans are being urged to act quickly, as the limited run is expected to sell out.
The water tower, long visible in televised shots of Kinnick Stadium, has been a silent backdrop to generations of Hawkeye football memories.
Its removal marks the end of an era for the University of Iowa’s athletic identity.
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame confirmed the release as a tribute to the structure’s cultural significance.
No official reason was given for the tower’s dismantling in the source material.
The bobblehead is the only known merchandise officially tied to the tower’s legacy.
The project is not a fundraiser for the university, according to the source.
The item is listed exclusively through the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame’s online store.
The source does not confirm whether the university collaborated on the design or approved the product.
Social media accounts linked to Hawkeyes Wire and Scout have promoted the bobblehead’s release.
Fans have already begun sharing photos of the tower in its final days, posting them with the hashtag #TapsToTheTower.
The bobblehead is the first official collectible to commemorate the structure’s retirement.
It is not a figurine of a player, coach, or mascot — but of a piece of infrastructure.
That distinction makes it unusual among college sports memorabilia.
For many, the water tower was as much a part of Kinnick as the field itself.
Its silhouette appeared in countless photos, videos, and fan art over six decades.
Its absence will be felt in broadcasts and stadium views starting next season.
The bobblehead offers fans a tangible way to remember what’s being lost.
Shipping details and exact delivery dates remain unconfirmed beyond the December 2026 window.
The National Bobblehead Hall of Fame has not announced plans for additional releases tied to the tower.
No other memorabilia has been confirmed by the university or the Hall of Fame.
The pre-sale window closes when all 2,026 units are claimed — or when the tower is fully removed.
For now, the only way to own a piece of the landmark is to order before it’s gone.
Source: Yahoo Sports