IOWA CITY, Iowa — Redshirt sophomore Patrick McCaffery (men’s basketball) and sophomore Bailey Ortega (volleyball) have been selected as Iowa’s 2022 Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award winners. The duo was chosen from Iowa’s list of 2021-22 Big Ten Sportsmanship Award winners, which had a representative from each varsity sport.
McCaffery started 32 games on the nationally ranked and Big Ten Tournament championship men’s basketball squad. He ranked third on the team in points (10.5) and free throws made (1.7) per game, fourth in rebounds (3.6), 3-pointers made (1.03) and blocks (0.5) per game, and second in field goals made (3.9) and attempted (9.2) per contest. McCaffery was the co-recipient of the team’s Kenny Arnold Hawkeye Spirit Award following the season, which is presented to the Hawkeye(s) who exemplifies Arnold’s spirit of leadership, character, courage, determination and poise, and inspires teammates to be their very best. The small forward posted single season bests in every statistical category. He reached double figures 21 times in 2022, including leading the team in scoring (18) and 3-pointers made (4) in Iowa’s NCAA Tournament game versus Richmond (18).
Ortega started 27 of the 30 games for Iowa and saw action in all 107 sets for the Hawkeyes. She led the team in assists (838) and assists per set (7.83). She ranked third on the team in serving percentage (.918). She recorded double digit assists in all but one contest, amassing at least 40 assists six times. Ortega recorded a career high 57 assists against Air Force on September 17, the first Hawkeye to record 50 or more assists since 2019. She was named to the Academic All-Big Ten and the Fall Dean’s List. Ortega is ranked 10th at Iowa in all-time assists with 1225.
The Big Ten first awarded the Outstanding Sportsmanship honor in 2003. The student-athletes chosen were individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior, were in good academic standing, and demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting.
Following is a list of Iowa’s past Big Ten Outstanding Sportsmanship Award Winners:
| Year | Men’s Award Winner | Women’s Award Winner |
| 2003 | Stuart Waters, Men’s Tennis | Kristin Johnson, Softball |
| 2004 | Nate Kaeding, Football | Laura Chipman, Softball |
| 2005 | Joe Johnston, Wrestling | Jennifer Skolaski, Swimming & Diving |
| 2006 | Adam Haluska, Men’s Basketball | Liz Grajewski, Women’s Gymnastics |
| 2007 | Adam Haluska, Men’s Basketball | Kara Zappone, Field Hockey |
| 2008 | Bart van Monsjou, Men’s Tennis | Brittany Keyes, Rowing |
| 2009 | Christian Bierich, Men’s Tennis | Wendy Ausdemore, Women’s Basketball |
| 2010 | A.J. Edds, Football | Laura Cilek, Women’s Golf |
| 2011 | Chris Brant, Men’s Golf | Kelsey Cermak, Women’s Basketball |
| 2012 | Matt Gatens, Men’s Basketball | Betsy Flood, Women’s Track & Field |
| 2013 | Eric May, Men’s Basketball | Mareike Schrulle, Women’s Cross Country |
| 2014 | James Morris, Football | Theairra Taylor, Women’s Basketball |
| 2015 | Mark Weisman, Football | Melissa Dixon, Women’s Basketball |
| 2016 | Drew Ott, Football | Amy Ihm, Women’s Golf |
| 2017 | Nicholas Baer, Men’s Basketball | Sophie Plasteras, Field Hockey |
| 2018 | Spencer Lee, Wrestling | Hannah Stewart, Women’s Basketball |
| 2019 | Alex Marinelli, Wrestling | Hannah Stewart, Women’s Basketball |
| 2020 | Connor McCaffery, Men’s Basketball | Makenzie Meyer, Women’s Basketball |
| 2021 | Mehki Sargent, Football | Kate Martin, Women’s Basketball |
| 2022 | Patrick McCaffery, Men’s Basketball | Bailey Ortega, Volleyball |