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A beloved tradition is returning to Kinnick Stadium in 2025. The annual Kid Captain partnership between the Iowa football team and the University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital is once again bringing joy to pediatric patients. UIHC announced the 12 Kid Captains Monday morning, less than a month before the Hawkeyes will take the field for the first time in 2025.Each Kid Captain will get to tour Kinnick Stadium during kids' day on Saturday, Aug. 9.Information about each child is provided by University of Iowa Health Care.Iowa vs. Albany, Aug. 30: Nolan Stevenson, age 9, OskaloosaAfter a serious UTV accident on the family farm, 6-year-old Nolan was transferred to Stead Family Children's hospital with life-threatening injuries.Over the course of three months, he endured more than a dozen surgeries and intensive wound care, including a hemipelvectomy to remove part of his pelvis, and skin grafts to repair injuries to his skin. Today, he uses a prosthetic and continues to heal with support from his team.Iowa at Iowa State, Sept. 6: James Hall, age 5, DyersvilleWhat started as a believed recurrent ear infection in James, quickly turned into something far more serious: two brain tumors and a rare, cancer-like disorder. After initial treatment, a second, even more aggressive brain tumor was suspected.Despite the challenges, James continues to receive expert care and ongoing monitoring. His journey is still unfolding but is led by determination and hope.Iowa vs. UMass, Sept. 13: Gwendolyn Clouse, age 7, Cedar RapidsGwendolyn was diagnosed as an infant with a rare and fatal genetic disorder that affects every major organ system. Her parents were told she likely wouldn’t live past her first birthday.Now several years later, and with the help of her care team at Stead Family Children's Hospital, she hears with cochlear implants, manages seizures through specialized care, and continues to surpass expectations.Iowa at Rutgers, Sept. 19: Liam Bartleson, age 11, AltoonaLiam was just two days old when it was discovered he was having hundreds of seizures each day. Diagnosed with a rare seizure disorder, traditional treatments didn’t work. His care team enrolled him in an experimental cannabidiol trial, dramatically reducing his seizures and advancing medical research.Today, Liam now communicates through facial expressions and continues to thrive under expert care.Iowa vs. Indiana, Sept. 27: Jaxton Engstrom, age 18, WaterlooJaxton began losing his vision when he was around 5 years old, leading to an initial diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa, a genetic eye disorder. He learned braille and how to navigate with a cane, but less than two years later, Jaxton collapsed and had a seizure. He was rushed to the emergency room and referred to Stead Family Children’s Hospital. Genetic testing led to the diagnosis of Batten disease, a rare and fatal neurological disorder.Iowa at Wisconsin, Oct. 11: Lily Sebastian, age 12, Cedar RapidsBorn prematurely at just over 2 pounds with a rare abdominal birth defect, Lily spent nearly her entire first year of life in the hospital. She faced multiple surgeries, including one just a day after birth.Lily continues to manage chronic kidney disease and a heart condition, but now school-aged, she exceeds expectations under the care of her long-standing team.Iowa vs. Penn State, Oct. 18: Micah Norby, age 7, GreenfieldMicah was diagnosed with Duchenne muscular dystrophy after his parents noticed him falling more often and lagging behind on the soccer field. A new gene therapy designed to slow the progression of the disease offered hope but needed to be administered before age six.After delays from an insurance appeal and an unexpected illness, the treatment was approved and administered the day before his sixth birthday. Micah became the first boy to receive the infusion at Stead Family Children’s Hospital, outside of clinical trials.Iowa vs. Minnesota, Oct. 25: Luke Johnston, age 8, Dunlap, IllinoisLuke’s rare spinal condition put him at risk of paralysis, and only a few surgeons in the world perform the operation he needed. His family searched the country before finding the right care at Stead Family Children’s Hospital. After a 13-hour surgery on Halloween, Luke began a long recovery, made brighter by his care team, who showed up in costume and a furry facility-dog, Corrin.Iowa vs. Oregon, Nov. 8: Harper Atkinson, age 10, WapelloHarper’s bone disease is truly unique. By age 2, she began suffering unexplained bone fractures. Now, with more than 35 breaks behind her, she’s living with a condition so rare, her care team at Stead Family Children’s Hospital believes she is the only person in the world with the condition. She also lives with craniosynostosis and Chiari malformation, both requiring expert surgical care. Though there’s no cure, her symptoms are managed with the help of a dedicated team.Iowa at USC, Nov. 15: Blake Bonta, age 12, Urbandale Blake was a healthy 9-year-old until his energy faded, and he began getting sick at school. A sudden headache at his birthday party led to the discovery of a brain tumor that had already spread. Transferred to Stead Family Children’s Hospital, Blake underwent major surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy. Today, he’s regaining strength and mobility and continues to be followed closely by his care team.Iowa vs. Michigan State, Nov. 22: Ray Walker, age 7, IndianolaRay’s seizures began in infancy, and after multiple misdiagnoses, he was found to have a rare brain condition requiring functional hemispherectomy - a surgery that disconnects one half of the brain at 19 months old. Ray continues to improve and has been seizure-free for five years.Iowa at Nebraska, Nov. 28: Millie Judge, age 9, Des MoinesMillie was transferred to Stead Family Children’s Hospital shortly after birth due to breathing issues, eventually undergoing open heart surgery at just 4 months old. She was diagnosed with a rare syndrome, Bannayan–Riley–Ruvalcaba, with underlying PTen deletion that causes intestinal polyps and low muscle tone, among other health issues. Millie continuously returns to Stead Family Children's Hospital for monitoring and care.» Subscribe to ����vlog's YouTube page» Download the free ����vlog app to get updates on the go: Apple | Google Play