Media requiring assistance when reporting on the intercollegiate athletics program at the University of Iowa work with associate athletics director, strategic communications Matt Weitzel, director James Allan, associate directors Sam Basler and Bailey Turner, assistant directors John Leo, Melanie Bertuccelli and Traci Wagner, director of social media and digital strategy, Brandee Saunders, and post-graduate interns Elizabeth Coon, Samantha Diaz, Claire Kelly and Sydney Weber.

Weitzel was named associate athletics director for strategic communications in June 2023. He previous served as an associate director in for 11 years after serving as assistant director for 13 years. Weitzel graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication, with an emphasis in business. The native of Mundelein, Illinois, was a student in the sports information office for three years. He and his wife, Carrie, have a son, Grey, and a daughter, Owen Rose.

Allan was named director of strategic communications in Sept. 2024 following stints as associate director (2016-24) and assistant director (2010-16). It is Allan’s second stint in the office, as he served as a student assistant from 2000-04. Allan returned to Iowa City after serving as the sports information director at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from 2005-10, and as the athletics media relations intern at Texas Christian University in 2004-05. The Hampton, Iowa, native earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2004. He and his wife, Mary Ann, have four children, Jonathan, Will, Eleanor and Olivia.

Basler was named an associate director in 2024 after serving as an assistant director for two years.  He also was an intern for one year and a student assistant for two years. He previously was a student assistant in the sports information department at Gonzaga University (2018-19). The West Des Moines, Iowa, native earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management from Gonzaga and his master’s degree in sport and recreation management from Iowa.

Turner was named an associate director in 2024 after serving two seasons as an assistant director.  He was also a student assistant at Iowa from 2017-20. He previously was an assistant director at North Texas (2021-22) and a communications assistant at Middle Tennessee (2020-21). A native of Boone, Iowa, Bailey earned his bachelor’s degree in sports and recreation management in 2020.

Leo is in his third year as an assistant director, after serving as an intern for 1 1/2 years. A native of Oelwein, Iowa, Leo earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degree in sport and recreation management from the University of Iowa. He also serves as a radio broadcaster for the Iowa baseball program and Hawkeye Sports Properties.

Wagner is in her 27th year as an assistant after previously serving as a student assistant for four years and as an intern for two years. A native of Iowa Falls, Wagner earned her bachelor’s degree in 1997 with a double major in journalism and communication studies. Traci and her husband, Jason, have a son, Nick, and a daughter, Sydney.

Bertuccelli is in her first year as an assistant director for digital media and branding. She previously served as marketing coordinator for one year and a social media coordinator for two years at the University of Iowa. She previously was a student intern in marketing at the University of Central Florida (2021-22). The Fort Lauderdale, Florida, native earned her bachelor’s degree in integrated business at UCF.

Saunders, the director of social media and digital strategy, is in her 14th year in the Iowa Athletics Department. The Plano, Illinois, native began her Iowa athletics career as a student intern in 2011. Since then, she has served as an assistant director of athletics communications and an assistant director of marketing/social media coordinator, before being named the director of social media in 2022. Saunders graduated from Iowa with a bachelor's degrees in journalism and mass communications and sport studies. Saunders and her husband, Caleb, have two dogs, Nike and Coach. 

JOIN OUR COMMUNICATIONS INTERN TEAM

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Strategic Communications Office

Mailing Address
S300 Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1020

Baseball	Basketball (M)	Basketball (W)
Contact: Sam Basler samuel-basler@uiowa.edu	Contact: James Allan james-allan@uiowa.edu	Contact: Bailey Turner bailey-turner@uiowa.edu
M/W Cross Country	Field Hockey	Football
Contact: Eli Basler eli-basler@uiowa.edu	Contact: Alina Davis alina-davis@uiowa.edu	Contact: Matt Weitzel matthew-weitzel@uiowa.edu
Golf (M)	Golf (W)	Gymnastics (W)
Contact: Sydney Weber sydney-weber@uiowa.edu	Contact: Samantha Diaz samantha-diaz@uiowa.edu	Contact: Melanie Bertuccelli | Erika Safrin melanie-bertuccelli@uiowa.edu | erika-safrin@uiowa.edu
Rowing	Soccer (W)	Softball
Contact: Meagan Murphy meagan-murphy@uiowa.edu	Contact: Brandt Dickey brandt-dickey@uiowa.edu	Contact: Claire Kelly claire-kelly@uiowa.edu
Swimming & Diving (W)	Tennis (W)	Track & Field
Contact: Emily Broderick emily-broderick@uiowa.edu	Contact: Kiersten Mann kiersten-mann@uiowa.edu	Contact: John Leo | Elizabeth Coon john-leo@uiowa.edu | elizabeth-coon@uiowa.edu
Volleyball	Men’s Wrestling	Women’s Wrestling
Contact: John Leo | Meagan Murphy john-leo@uiowa.edu | meagan-murphy@uiowa.edu	Contact: Sam Basler samuel-basler@uiowa.edu	Contact: Brandee Saunders brandee-britt@uiowa.edu

HAWKEYE STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS STUDENT ALUMNI
(email additions and updates to matthew-weitzel@hawkeyesports.com)

James Allan (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2004)/Director, University of Iowa Athletic Strategic Communications
Megan (Rowley) Althoff (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Theatre Arts, 2015)/Director, Communications, Big Ten Conference
Megan (Becker) Evett (B.A., Communication Studies; B.A., Sports Studies, 2010)/Account Manager, Stumm Insurance
Bob Beghtol (B.A, Journalism & Mass Communications, 1991)/Senior Director of Media Relations, Chicago White Sox
Aaron Blau (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Sports Studies, 2007)/Director of Market Development, The Sports Facilities Companies
Austin Bramley (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2017)/Marketing Specialist, Midcontinent
Chris Brewer (B.A., English, 2004)/Public Relations Manager, University of Iowa
Brandee (Britt) Saunders (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.S., Sports Studies, 2015)/Director, University of Iowa Athletics Social Media and Digital Strategy
Rick Brown (B.A., Journalism, 1976; M.A., Journalism, 1977)/Retired from 38-year career at Des Moines Register; reporter, Principal Charity Classic, reporter, Hawkeye Nation
Jordan Bucher (B.B.A., Marketing, 2016)/Director of Member Relations, Mortgage Bankers Association
Exodus Cardoza (B.A., Communication Studies, 2015)/HR Manager, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Ashley (Carlson) Berglund (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Health & Sports Studies, 2012)/Senior Communications Manager, Gemini
Eric Clark (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2014; M.S. Journalism, 2015)/Digital Content Writer, Curinos
Scott Cornelis (B.B.A., Economics, 2000)/Treasurer & VP of Finance, Enova International
Jeff Darby (B.A. Journalism & Mass Communications, 1994)/Senior Associate Athletic Director for Communications and University Relations, University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP)
Bria Davis Clemmons (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Spanish, 2014)/Chief Executive Officer, Surround Sports Studio
Marcus Dittmer (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.B.A., Marketing, 2007)/Director of Digital Marketing, University of Virginia
Mindy (Heidgerken) Gardner (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.F.A, Photography; B.F.A, Graphic Design, 2007)/Assistant Director, Graphic Design, University of Iowa Athletic Communications
Seth Goodman (B.S., Sports and Recreation Management, 2019)/Account Executive, Fishman Public Relations
Doug Haake (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.S., Health and Sports Studies, 2003)/Academic Advising Coordinator, Moody College of Communication at the University of Texas
Jessa Hansen (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2012)/Head Women’s Gymnastics Coach, University of Washington
Bryan Harlan (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 1984) /President, Harlan Sports Management, Chicago
Jana Hemphill (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2005)/Community Engagement Member, Deshutes Land Trust
Jake Holtorf (B.A., Health and Sports Studies, 2008)/Regional Vice President, Shaw Industries
Matt Jansen Creative Media Manager, University of Iowa Office of Strategic Communication
Natalie Johnson (B.A., Communication Studies; B.A., Sports Studies, 2005)/Vice President of Integrated Production & Client Partnership, Bowstring Studios
Breanna Kellogg (B.S., Sport and Recreation Management, 2018)/Group Sales Account Executive, Dallas Mavericks
Janey Kiryluik (B.A., Sports Studies; Business Administration, 2005; M.A. Sports Management, 2007)/Communications Advisor, TEAMsmarts
Mike Lageschulte (B.A, Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A, Communication Studies, 1993)/Director of Annual Giving, University of Utah
Kevin Lake (B.A. Communication Studies, 1996)/Director of Parks and Recreation, City of DeWitt
Robbie Lehman (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2011)/Content Writer & Manager, SimplyBe. Agency and Founder of Haymaker Sales & Marketing
Steve Malchow (B.A., Marketing; 1984; B.A. Information Systems, 1990)/Senior Associate Athletics Director for Communications, Iowa State University (retired)
Jordin (Hatcher) Manfred (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Health and Sports Studies, 2009)/Senior Brand Manager, Bridgestone Americas
Maddie McCarron (B.A., Journalism; B.A., Sport & Recreation Management, 2022)/Social Media Content Creator, FOX Sports
Amber (Gartner) McDonald (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Communication Studies, 2005)/Key Account Manager, Martin Brothers Distributing
Jen (Duda) McGrath (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communication; B.A., Sociology, 2000)/Senior Global Reputation Manager, Hollister Incorporated
Lyn Metzger (B.S., Sports Studies; Spanish, 2015)/Director of Tickets & Revenue Generation, University of Idaho
Andrea (Breen) Miller (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2007)/Library Media Center Teaching Assistant
Jaren Nelson (B.A., Communications and Screenwriting, 2023)/Graduate Assistant, SMU Public Relations
James Novak (B.A., Communication Studies, 2013)/Senior Project Manager, Americaneagle.com
Meghan O’Keefe (B.A., Communication Studies, 2010)/Executive Director, Tamp Bay Tech
Hayley (Otto) Murphy (B.A., Communication Studies; B.S., Recreation and Sports Business, 2015)/Vice President, Events Management Manager at JPMorgan & Chase Co.
Maria (Westerhold) Peebles (B.A., Communication Studies, 2002)/Travel Best Bets, Maria Peebles
Kevin Quinn (B.A., Communication Studies, 2017)/Senior Director of Business Development and Communications, Illinois Section PGA
McKenna Roering (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2025)/Athletics Communications Graduate Assistant, Illinois State University
Stephanie (Dittmer) Rogers (B.A., Sport Studies; B.B.A. Business Management, 2011)/Executive Vice President of Marketing, San Francisco 49ers
Jack Rossi (B.A. Journalism & Mass Communications; 2016)/Communications and Alumni Relations Manager, University of Iowa
Brad Rudner (B.A, Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A, Communication Studies, 2009)/Senior Communications Specialist, AAA Life Insurance Company
Ben Schmitz (B.S., Liberal Arts: Communications Studies, 2014)/Marketing & Communications Senior Partner, Athene
Reagan Schoening (B.B.A., Marketing, Leadership Studies Certificate, 2025)/Sales and Marketing Representative, John Deere
Erin (Zein) Scott-Burnham (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.S., Health, Leisure and Sports Studies, 2001)/Senior Technical Writer, ACT
Duncan Shay (B.A., Sport and Recreation Management; Journalism & Mass Communication, 2023)/Group Sales Account Executive, Philadelphia 76ers
Nate Sheehan (B.A, Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., English, 2010)/Assistant Director, University of Alabama Athletic Communications
Tim Simmons (M.A., Journalism, 1971)/Event Manager, BFishInc
Alex Snyder (B.S., Sport and Recreation Management, 2017)/Management Analyst, Village of Hinsdale Village
Patrick Sojka (B.B.A, Marketing, 2010; M.A. Recreational Sports Management, 2012)/Senior Associate Director of Athletics, Commercial Operations & Fan Engagement, University of Illinois
Kyle Soldwisch (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Sports Studies, 2013)/Credit Analyst, Great America Financial Services
Lea Stover (B.S., Radiation Science Carver College of Medicine, 2010)/UI Clinical Specialist, Medtronic Surgical Technologies
Matt Stueland (B.A., Communications, Film and TV Production, 1998)/Global Head of Content, Skyscanner
Shane Sturtz (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communication, and Sports Studies, 2019)
Sam Stych (B.S, Sport and Recreation Management, 2015)/Sales Coordinator, Musco Lighting
Grace Tafolla (B.A, Journalism & Mass Communications, 2020)/Assistant Athletics Communications Director, University of Texas
Carson Tigges (B.A., Communication Studies, 2008)/Marketing and Communications Supervisor at UnityPoint Health
Bailey Turner (B.A., Sports and Recreation Management, 2020)/Associate Athletic Communications Director, University of Iowa
Traci (Howard) Wagner (B.A., Journalism & Communication Studies, 1997)/Assistant Director, University of Iowa Athletic Communications
Dan Wallace (B.A, Communication Studies; B.A., Sports Studies, 2013)/Communications Specialist, Village of Glenview
Mike Watkins (B.A., Journalism, 1992; M.A., Journalism, 1998)/Owner/Consultant, Watkins Marketing & Media and freelance writer for USA Swimming
Matthew Weitzel (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 1997)/Associate AD, University of Iowa Strategic Communications
Tony Wirt (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 1999)/Author
Abby Wisecup (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; certificate in Entrepreneurship, 2023)/Assistant Director Communications, University of Florida
Peter Zucker (B.A., Enterprise Leadership, 2020)/ Tournament Services Manager, John Deere Classic