Aug. 21, 2014
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IOWA CITY, Iowa — University of Iowa director of track and field/cross country Joey Woody announced Thursday that assistant coach Jason Wakenight and director of operations Kate See have joined the Hawkeye staff. Clive Roberts has also been elevated to associate head coach.
Wakenight will also hold the title of recruiting coordinator. The former Hawkeye student-athlete and volunteer coach will train Iowa’s middle distance and men’s long sprints, and assist in short sprints and relays.
“I am thrilled to rejoin the Hawkeye track and field and cross country program,” said Wakenight. “My roots are at the University of Iowa as both an athlete and coach, and it has been a goal and dream of mine to help take Iowa track and field to the top of the Big Ten.
“Coach Woody gave me this opportunity, and I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I am a Hawkeye for life and blessed to join a talented coaching staff poised to lead the next generation of Hawkeyes.”
Prior to joining the Hawkeyes, Wakenight was assistant coach in charge of men’s and women’s sprints, hurdles, and mid-distance, and recruiting coordinator at Loyola University in Chicago.
From 2012-14, he helped the Ramblers set 51 school records, crown 26 league champions, and earn four NCAA All-America honors. The Loyola men won two Horizon League championships and placed runner-up three times, and the Loyola women won three conference titles.
“Jason was an integral part of our team when we won the Big Ten Championship in 2011,” said Woody. “He did a tremendous job at Loyola University, transforming their team into a championship-level program. He has a passion for the University of Iowa and a history of success here. He has proven he can recruit, and his pedigree makes him an excellent addition to our staff.”
The appointment of See gives the track and field program its first director of operations. See holds two degrees from the University of Iowa and has worked with the UI event management team since 2007.
“Kate has already proven to be a valued addition to our staff,” said Woody. “She has experience managing day-to-day operations of a variety of UI events and athletic teams, and shown a proven commitment to this university.”
Roberts was elevated to associate head coach after spending the previous five seasons coaching men’s and women’s horizontal jumps, and women’s sprints, hurdles, and long sprints. In 2011, he added the title of recruiting coordinator. Since arriving on campus, Roberts has led his student-athletes to 11 Big Ten titles, 22 All-America honors, and 14 school records.
In 2014, the women’s 400- and 1,600-meter relays set school records and qualified for the NCAA Championships. The 400-meter relay won the Big Ten Outdoor Championship, and Elexis Guster won the women’s 400 meters. Babatunde Amosu was the indoor conference champion in the men’s triple jump.
“Clive has helped move our women’s track and field program into the upper division of the Big Ten, and taken on a lot of different roles within our staff,” said Woody. “I want to recognize his contributions to our program, and show our student-athletes that we are committed to building a championship tradition.”
