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State OKs new Hoover-Ball plate decals
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · December 07, 2017
Stand by your car, look at the license plate and imagine pushing to the right that jumble of letters and numbers.
The Hoover Foundation now offers something to go into that gap on the left: A Hoover-Ball decal.
The non-profit group last week announced approval from the Iowa Department of Transportation for a red-and-black, three-inch sticker promoting the national championship game that takes place right here in West Branch during Hoover’s Hometown Days.
“The sport of Hoover-Ball provides an excellent way for us to introduce Herbert Hoover to the public,” Hoover Foundation Executive Director Jerry Fleagle said. “Hoover and members of his staff and cabinet played every morning at the White House to keep in shape. It’s a side of Hoover not many have seen.”
The decal shows a leaping player with his arm cocked to heave the ball. Under an extended arm are the words, “Get In The Game,” and across the bottom of the decal, “Hoover-Ball National Championships.”
Proceeds from decals sales will support Hoover Foundation programs like Youth Hoover-Ball camps and tournaments.
According to a press release, this initiative takes advantage of an Iowa law, HF 617, that went into effect on Jan. 1, which allows non-profits to create and sell state-approved decals as a fundraiser.
“The Hoover Presidential Foundation was recently approved as the eighth non-profit to take advantage of the law, and is pleased to offer a Hoover-Ball National Championship decal to Iowa sports fans,” read the release.
Hoover Foundation Communications Manager Brad Reiners said it took about three weeks of working with the IDOT to get approval and design the decal.
Getting the appropriate plates and decals is a two-step process, he said.
1. Acquiring the decal means visiting the Foundation’s web site at HooverPresidential-Foundation.org. The decals will sell for $20.
2. Acquiring the plates means a visit to the local Iowa Motor Vehicle Department office, like the one at the Cedar County Courthouse or the one located in Iowa City. Cost: $5.
“The exchange can be made any day of the year during regular business hours and motorists do not have to wait until the plates expire. The office will simply exchange the plates, print new registration papers, and charge a $5 fee,” read the release.
Motorists may also customize their new plate with up to five characters for a cost of $25.
Reiners came across the new law while researching an article on widening Interstate 80. He found a page regarding the decals on the IDOT web site and said he thought, “We should be doing that.”
He presented the idea to Fleagle and they weighed the idea and decided to do it. The decal uses artwork from other Hoover-Ball promotions.
“There’s not a whole lot you can put into (three inches),” Reiners said, chuckling. “The less you put in, the easier it is to see. I did not want to complicate it with tiny text.”
Hoover-Ball players come from all across the state, and he said the Foundation is reaching out to them to gauge interest in hopes of decals roaming the four corners of Iowa. Reiners said he hopes the decals will catch the attention of folks walking through grocery store and shopping center parking lots.
“Our hope is that they will take a closer look and spark a little interest,” he said.
The Foundation states that, prior to the new law, custom license plates required that groups pre-sell at least 500 before state approval. The new law cut that number in half to 250 “and included the decal plate option which does not have a minimum requirement.”
“It’s a perfect opportunity for us,” Reiners said. “It would take a long time to round up 250 pre-sale orders for a custom plate, but this program lets our regular Hoover-Ball athletes and supporters show their Hoover pride immediately.”
The Hoover-Ball National Championships are held annually in West Branch as part of Hoover’s Hometown Days, held the first Friday and Saturday in August. 2017 marked the 30th year for the event.
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