- 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, and assistant directors Leandra Harasta, John Leo and Traci Wagner.
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.
Wagner is in her 25th 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.
Allan was named director in 2024 after serving as an associate director (2016-24) and assistant director (2010-16). Allan was also a student assistant in the office from 2000-04. He 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.
Harasta is in her second year as a assistant director, after serving as an intern for one year. The Brea, California, native earned her bachelor’s degree in communication from the University at Buffalo where she was also a four-year starter on the softball team. She earned her master’s degree in sport management from the University of Florida.
Leo is in his second 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.
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: Erika Safrin erika-safrin@uiowa.edu |
Contact: Claire Kelly claire-kelly@uiowa.edu |
Contact: Matt Weitzel matthew-weitzel@uiowa.edu |
| Golf (M) | Golf (W) | Gymnastics (W) |
| Contact: Sydney Weber sydney-weber@uiowa.edu |
Contact: Grace Kelly grace-c-kelly@uiowa.edu |
Contact: Leandra Harasta | Reagan Schoening leandra-harasta@uiowa.edu | reagan-schoening@uiowa.edu |
| Rowing | Soccer | Softball |
| Contact: Meagan Murphy meagan-murphy@uiowa.edu |
Contact: Brandt Dickey brandt-dickey@uiowa.edu |
Contact: Leandra Harasta | Claire Kelly leandra-harasta@uiowa.edu | claire-kelly@uiowa.edu |
| Swimming & Diving (W) | Tennis (W) | Track & Field |
| Contact: Alina Davis alina-davis@uiowa.edu |
Contact: Reagan Schoening reagan-schoening@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: Leandra Harasta leandra-harasta@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)/Vice President of Education, Primacy
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 (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 (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Spanish, 2014)/University of Iowa College of Law Student & Legal Intern, Minnesota Vikings
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 Art Director, 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
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
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)/Communcations 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)/Communications Assistant, Chicago Bear
Erin (Zein) Scott-Burnham (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.S., Health, Leisure and Sports Studies, 2001)/Senior Technical Writer, ACT
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 Athletics Director for Development and Premium Sales, UNLV
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)/Associate Director of Creative Services, Duke Athletics
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 Arkansas
Carson Tigges (B.A., Communication Studies, 2008)/Marketing and Communications Supervisor at UnityPoint Health
Bailey Turner (B.A., Sports and Recreation Management, 2020)/Assistant 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)/Communications Assistant, University of Florida
Peter Zucker (B.A., Enterprise Leadership, 2020)/ Tournament Services Manager, John Deere Classic