Left to right: Ashley Johnson, Cedar Valley Sports Commission; Jennifer Pickar, Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau; Tom Keating, IHSAA; Rob Green, Cedar Falls Mayor; David Harris, UNI Athletics Director

Just before the first kickoff on Wednesday, the City of Cedar Falls, UNI Athletics and the Iowa High School Athletic Association came together to dedicate a street name in honor of the IHSAA State Football Playoffs.  

During the two weeks of playoff competition in the UNI-Dome, Panther Parkway has been renamed Playoff Parkway as a gesture of gratitude and recognition to the IHSAA for its outstanding contributions to the community.

During the short program, city officials, UNI Athletics and IHSAA delivered remarks and presented a Playoff Parkway sign. The newly rededicated Playoff Parkway showcases 14 double-sided banners featuring each state-qualifying team. Additional new signage on Hudson Road and Main Street in Cedar Falls will welcome football athletes and fans.

“This is one of the most exciting times of the year for us having student-athletes, coaches, parents, family members and fans come from across the state to the UNI-Dome for the final two rounds of the Iowa high school playoffs,” said UNI Director of Athletics David Harris.

UNI and the IHSAA announced a five-year extension for the high school state football playoffs earlier this year, continuing a relationship that goes back to 1976.  The 2022 playoffs drew an estimated 54,000 people over the course of 14 semifinal and seven championship contests. The IHSAA also has pledged an investment in the UNI-Dome renovation project to provide a next-generation facility for student-athletes for the future.

“We want this event to remain here on campus and be here in the Cedar Valley,” said Harris. “It’s tremendously important to us, so we look forward to having this partnership in place for a number of years to come.”