IOWA CITY, IA — An Iowa City boy who served as the Kid Captain for the 2023 Cy-Hawk Game has died after an ATV accident. Nile Kron was 9 when he died Tuesday from injuries tied to the crash, according to an obituary published by the Iowa City Press-Citizen.
His death has prompted an outpouring of support from the community and Iowa football circles that had followed his story since the University of Iowa featured him in 2023. A GoFundMe created for his family describes his death as unexpected.
UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital shared his story before the 2023 Cy-Hawk Game
Kron’s connection to the Hawkeyes began in a very public way when the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital highlighted his medical story in September 2023. That feature came ahead of his Kid Captain week, when Iowa faced Iowa State in Ames.
The Kid Captain role has made Nile familiar to many Hawkeye fans, and his story continued to resonate after that game. He remained a recognizable presence at team-related events in the years that followed, keeping his connection to the program alive for supporters who had learned about him through the hospital’s outreach.
He stayed involved with Hawkeye events and appeared at charity outing in Iowa City
In the time after his Kid Captain appearance, Nile was still seen at events connected to the football program. One of those was last year’s Micah Hyde Charity Golf Outing at Finkbine, where he was among the familiar faces linked to Iowa athletics.
That continued involvement made his death especially painful for people who had watched his journey over the past couple of years. For many in the community, he was not only the child featured before a big rivalry game, but also a young Hawkeye fan whose presence remained part of the team’s broader family.
Hoover Elementary students will honor him with black and gold on Friday
Tributes are already planned in Iowa City. Fourth-grade students at Hoover Elementary will wear Hawkeye gear on Friday in Nile’s memory, and the school is encouraging all students to wear black and gold.
The gesture reflects how widely known Kron had become in the local school community as well as among football fans. By choosing team colors and Hawkeye apparel, classmates and teachers are turning a simple school day into a visible sign of remembrance for a child whose story reached far beyond the classroom.
Memorial services are set for Sunday and Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church
Family and friends will have multiple chances to gather and remember him. Memorial services are planned for Sunday and Monday at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Iowa City, giving the community a formal place to mourn and share support.
In addition, a memorial fund has been established at Hills Bank on Muscatine Avenue in Iowa City. The GoFundMe and the bank fund are part of the broader effort to help Kron’s family after what supporters are describing as a sudden loss.
A familiar face in Hawkeye circles now leaves behind a lasting memory
Kron’s story carried a rare combination of sports visibility and personal resilience. He was introduced to many fans through a hospital program tied to a major college football game, then continued to appear at events that kept him connected to the team.
Now, the response to his death shows how deeply that presence mattered. From the hospital feature to the school tribute and memorial arrangements, the reaction has centered on remembering a child who became a meaningful part of Iowa City’s Hawkeye community.
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