The greatest tradition in college football returns in just a few short days.

At the end of the first quarter of Saturday’s matchup between Iowa and Northern Illinois, every fan, player, coach and official will turn away from Kinnick Stadium and wave to the patients across the way in the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital.

But one lucky child will get to participate in “The Wave” from the other side of the hospital window.

Monday morning, the Stead Family Children’s Hospital announced that 10-year-old Gwen White will be the Kid Captain for the Hawkeyes’ season opener on Saturday.

White, who is a native of West Burlington, Iowa, suffers from juvenile dermatomyositis, a rare disease that affects just three in 1 million children. She was named a Kid Captain for her tough, positive and caring attitude.

The Kid Captain program has been a partnership between the Children’s Hospital and the University of Iowa since 2009. In addition to being on the field with the team, all Kid Captains will receive a commemorative jersey, special recognition from UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and the Iowa Hawkeyes, and an invitation to a special behind-the-scenes tour of Kinnick Stadium.

You can read more of White’s story at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital website.