NEWTON- Anyone who knows die-hard Hawkeye alumni Dorothy Carpenter knows about her Rose Bowl medal.
Take one look around Carpenter’s home, there’s not doubt that she’s a Hawkeye.
“Undying devotion, we’re certainly a family of Hawkeye fans,” said Carpenter.
Carpenter became a Hawk back in 1956 when she attended the University of Iowa, majoring in political science and journalism. The same year she started school, she joined the famous Scottish Highlanders, an all-female bagpipe and drumming band.
Out of 300 freshmen who tried out yearly, only 30-40 were chosen to be part of the once-prestigious group. Even though Carpenter had played saxophone and thought she’d be chosen for bagpipes, she was given a snare drum position.
As the Hawks 1956 season went on, it was clear… they were headed to the Rose Bowl.
“It was of course that magical football season for the Hawkeyes to get to go to the Rose Bowl for the very first time,” said Carpenter.
The girls had played for Ed Sullivan, the Eisenhower’s and now they were headed to the Rose Bowl.
An Oldsmobile donation meant they would go on trains, something no one expected.
Once they were there,they played in the 5 ½ mile-long Rose Bowl Parade. Carpenter, who was third snare drum, said the lead drummer got sick the morning of the parade meaning Carpenter would keep the cadence, drumming for three hours straight.
After the parade, the Scottish Highlanders joined the university’s band playing pre-show and halftime shows.
At the end, after the Hawks defeated Oregon State 35-19, they all received the same Rose Bowl medal.
Carpenter put the medal away for a few years until Hayden Fry took the Hawks to the Rose Bowl again in 1982.
“I consider it a good luck charm too. I wear it to all the games,” said Carpenter.
She’s wore it ever since.
That was until the Monday before this past Thanksgiving. Nearly 60 years after getting the medal, Carpenter wore it to the grocery store and then came home and noticed it was gone.
“The chain was there, the link was on the chain, the medal itself is gone. I could not imagine, what on Earth, how I could’ve lost it,” said Carpenter.
Carpenter searched her bags, car, and house and called Hyvee who said they’d keep their eyes out for it. After a week or so, Carpenter decided to put an ad in the local papers. She described the gold colored Rose Bowl medal and the small red ruby-like jewel in the corner.
“I put it in the lost and found. I said there would be a reward if found and my undying gratitude and my phone number,” said Carpenter.
It was nearly a month later when Carpenter got a voicemail from another woman in Newton.
“I got home and there was a message on my phone. This woman’s voice said, “Please call, I have something important to tell you.” That was all. I thought could it possibly be that she’s calling about my Rose Bowl medal?” said Carpenter.
The Good Samaritan was doing just that. The Newton woman, who wishes to remain anonymous, stored the medal in her China cabinet since the day she found it. She knew someone had to be looking for it.
“She was absolutely just as excited about finding me as I was about her finding my medal. I had really lost all hope,” said Carpenter.
Since the medal’s return before Christmas, Carpenter has resurfaced all of her 1957 Rose Bowl memorabilia. From the Rose Bowl handout to pictures of her in her band uniform, the good memories flooded back through the smile on Carpenter’s face.
When asked why she didn’t go back to Pasadena this year, Carpenter said the sports lover in her wanted to watch all of the games instead of just one. However, she said the memories of the stadium and fans cheering are vivid and something she’ll never forget.
“It’s electric; you can feel it at the game. It’s a special place. I know our football team, our guys, will feel that same way,” said Carpenter.
Carpenter said she thinks this team can do exactly what the team in 1957 did. Win.
“These guys know each other well as players. I think that’s totally the key to their success this year… I have a good feeling.”
