Dear Hawkeye Nation:
It is an exciting time to be a Hawkeye! Our football team is halfway through its season with Michigan State this Saturday, and they are right in the thick of the Big Ten title race at 4-2. We are one of only three schools in the nation with two midseason CBS Sports All-Americans in Jay Higgins and Kaleb Johnson. Our women’s soccer team is ranked No. 14 in the nation and volleyball and field hockey have logged some impressive wins. And congratulations to Coach Ferentz for winning his 200th game as our head football coach and Coach Diianni on his 100th victory as our head soccer coach. We have some of the best coaches in the country leading our programs.
I want to begin by thanking you. All of you. Thank you showing up at our games in black and gold and passionately cheering on our teams. Our amazing fans allowed us to announce a sellout of all home football games and a second straight year of a season sellout in women’s basketball. Thank you for your continued generosity as every ticket purchased, gift to the I-Club, or contribution to the SWARM helps our student-athletes reach their dreams. And thank you for always being there for the Iowa Hawkeyes, in good times and in challenging ones. Your support is making a critical impact in everything we do.
Our men’s basketball program returns preseason All-Big Ten player Payton Sandfort as well as last year’s Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year, Owen Freeman. On the women’s basketball side, new head coach Jan Jensen has a strong blend of newcomers and returners coming off an historic year and we cannot wait for Iowa fans to show up and show out this season. Both wrestling programs are ready to compete for national championships, all other sports are well into their training, and our student-athletes continue to excel in the classroom. You can truly be proud of how they represent the University of Iowa both in and out of competition
Even beyond the sporting seasons, we are completing or moving forward with some important projects. We are just three months away from opening the new gymnastics and spirit squad facility; finished a much-needed outdoor track resurfacing, along with new turf and lights at the baseball field; and are well into the feasibility study for renovations to Carver-Hawkeye Arena. Stay tuned for additional updates on these and other exciting projects.
"I am confident in our plan moving forward, while realizing we will need to continue to navigate, as the landscape changes in the months ahead. Because of your support, providing our student-athletes the opportunity to earn a degree from an incredible institution and compete at the highest level, will not change."
Beth Goetz, Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics
Finally, as you may be aware, preliminary approval of what is commonly known as the House settlement was recently granted, and as part of the settlement, beginning next academic year, institutions will be allowed to share revenue with student-athletes. It is a fundamental shift in intercollegiate athletics, and we are committed to embracing the future and remaining competitive in this new environment. We must contain our current expenses, while seeking new revenue opportunities and grow current income streams. I am confident in our plan moving forward, while realizing we will need to continue to navigate, as the landscape changes in the months ahead. Because of your support, providing our student-athletes the opportunity to earn a degree from an incredible institution and compete at the highest level, will not change.
Thank you, again, for all that you do for Iowa Athletics. I hope to see you at one of the many upcoming Hawkeye events!
Together We Fight For Iowa,
Beth