This week the University of Northern Iowa and the UNI-Dome are welcoming nearly 100 of the state’s best football players and cheerleaders for the 2023 Iowa Shrine Bowl. The annual “all-star game” of up-and-coming student athletes has been held at the Dome for the past 10 years, with the exception of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Players and cheerleaders arrived in Cedar Falls on Sunday for a week of practice and activities ahead of a parade and game this weekend, including a visit to Lost Island Waterpark, a picnic at Gateway Park, a hog roast in Reinbeck, an honors banquet and a parade in downtown Cedar Falls. Teams also participate in Shrine Hospital Beyond the Field Camp, which benefits the Shriners Children’s Hospital and the many children in Iowa who receive care there.

This year's group also features three incoming UNI Panthers - Ethan Schoville of Denver, Iowa and Luke Reth of Manchester will play for the North Team. John Powers of Bondurant-Farrar will play for the South.

This Iowa Shrine Bowl game aims to raise $100,000 annually and has raised nearly $3 million to date. Kickoff from the Dome is this Saturday at 4 p.m.

The Iowa Shrine Bowl is just one of many activities bringing families across Iowa to the UNI-Dome, adding up to a $17 million annual economic impact for Cedar Falls and surrounding Cedar Valley communities. See how the University of Northern Iowa is renewing the UNI-Dome for the next generation and find out how you can help by visiting unidomerenovation.com.