Mary Ferentz steps out to help children

[ 1 ] April 19, 2011 | Randy Peterson

Amid all the happy talk about the Iowa football team loomed a woman who is usually silent, but who had a gigantic message.

Kirk Ferentz addressed hundreds of fans at the Polk County I-Club’s annual spring fling Tuesday night at the 7 Flags Fitness Center in Clive. His wife, Mary, spoke about something close to her heart, too.

She talked about kids — specifically, children at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

“I became involved about five years ago — about the same time I was looking at my 28-year career as a stay-at-home mom winding down,” Mary Ferentz said during a rare interview Tuesday.

“Kirk and I have one child left in the house, and I started looking ahead.

“What am I going to do?”

She talked to a friend, who mentioned that the experience of raising five children — often on her own as Kirk coached football — was worth something.

“My friend said we could make a difference helping children at the Children’s Hospital,” Mary said. “The hospital was looking to expand private philanthropy, so Kirk and I got involved.”

The Ferentzes are continuing that by hosting a Ladies Football Academy on June 18, not only to educate women on the finer points of the game, but also to raise money for Mary’s charity.

The website can be found at iowaladiesfootballacademy.com.

“Our kids have been blessed with good health,” she said. “Our first four children were born (at the U of Iowa hospital), so it’s been a special place to us.

“We want to continue to attract and retain all the good things that are going on at the hospital.”

The academy’s registration fee is $50, and the program includes sessions in the Kinnick Stadium press box, at the Kenyon Practice Field and at the indoor practice bubble.

It starts at 4 p.m. and is expected to conclude around 9:30.

“It doesn’t matter who you are — children are the center of your universe,” Mary Ferentz said.

“When you walk into a room in a child’s ward, it’s not just a sick kid in bed. You’ve got grandpa, grandma, brothers, sisters and the parents. It’s a whole family affair.”

And when you walk into the Ferentz home these days it’s … uh … quiet. Steven, a junior at Iowa City High School, is the only one still around.

“I’d been out of the job market since Brian was born — after he was born, I never worked outside the house,” Mary said.

So instead of boredom, she chose giving back — and Tuesday night discussed that personal side while her husband was glad-handing loyal Hawkeye fans.

“I’ve been home playing parent; I married a football coach, so five kids kept me busy,” Mary Ferentz said. “It wasn’t my style to be in front of the public.

“I’m a football coach’s wife, and I’ve been busy with five kids.

“Now I’m becoming less busy as we’ve gone from five kids to one — and I’m not looking at Kirk slowing down anytime soon.”