ACADEMIC ADVISING
Mel Sanders is baseball’s academic advisor.
One of the most important relationships a student-athlete will develop in college is with their Athletic Academic Coordinator and their academic advisor. These trained professionals help students navigate and succeed in attaining a college education.
The ultimate goal of both the student-athlete’s academic coordinator and academic advisor is to help students enroll in the appropriate courses needed to stay on track to graduate and develop the academic and interpersonal skills needed to succeed after graduation.
ATHLETIC TRAINING
The mission of the Department of Sports Medicine and Baseball Athletic Trainer Jake Feldman is to provide the complete healthcare for the student-athlete. Feldman manages all daily athletic training room operations, including: staff, clerical and student assignments; injury management and rehabilitation; and ensuring medical coverage for all baseball student-athletes.
The sports medicine team is composed of orthopedic surgeons from the University of Iowa Sports Medicine Center as well as primary care physicians that specialize in family practice, emergency medicine and pediatrics.
The sports medicine team has at their disposal the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics that encompasses physicians representing all other medical and surgical disciplines. With an orthopedic surgery department that U.S. News & World Report ranks among the nation’s top 10, the best possible care is available for all student-athletes.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Strength and conditioning coach provides year-round comprehensive, baseball-specific training programs for each member of the Hawkeyes. Each program focuses on many components including: strength, aerobic and anaerobic endurance, flexibility, coordination, speed, agility and power. Coach Ryan Koester also consults with both the nutrition and sports medicine staff to develop the individual strength and conditioning programs. This cohesive relationship ensures baseball student-athletes have every opportunity to maximize their performance potential.
The baseball program uses two different facilities on campus. Carver-Hawkeye Arena is the main facility. This 10,000 square-foot facility is home to our strength staff and sport science department.
SPORTS NUTRITION
Director of Sports Nutrition Kira Blum is responsible for the development and coordination of optimal nutritional services at Iowa and for the nutritional development and care of student-athletes. White provides direction and communicates the value of nutrition programs specifically designed to promote their health and performance. White works to develop menus for the team and organizes cooking demonstrations and grocery store visits for athletes to help them make better food choices.
Sports Psychology
The mission of the University of Iowa Sport Psychology team is to promote mental well-being, safety, and optimal performance in all aspects of student-athlete life. Sport Psychology Services provide confidential personal counseling, performance psychology services, and psychological rehabilitation from injury. Additionally, they provide consultation to coaching, medical, strength training, and administrative staff. Mental skills training and team building activities are also available for teams. Collaboration with other staff is encouraged as appropriate.