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Field Hockey

2026 Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame Spotlight: Diane DiMiro Simmons

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Why is being inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame meaningful to you?
Being inducted into the University of Iowa Athletics Hall of Fame is incredibly meaningful to me because it represents all of the hard work, dedication, and sacrifices that shaped my athletic career. I am proud to have worn the black and gold and grateful for the opportunity to represent the University of Iowa. To be recognized in this way is such an honor, and I will always cherish the memories, friendships, and experiences that made my time as a Hawkeye so special.  

Who were your mentors at Iowa, and what did you learn from them?
I was fortunate to have incredible mentors during my time at Iowa, especially head coach Beth Beglin and assistant coach Tracey Griesbaum. They challenged me to be the best athlete and teammate I could be, shaping not only my athletic career but also the values of hard work, discipline, and teamwork that have guided me throughout my life. I also learned so much from my teammates and the upperclassmen. They taught me the importance of leadership, accountability, and trust. Some of my greatest memories at Iowa came from the relationships we built and the challenges we overcame together.

What achievement from your time as a Hawkeye makes you most proud?
One season that stands out to me is 1994, my sophomore year at Iowa. We were a very young team and were often called “the comeback kids’”for earning big wins late in games and in overtime. That season included winning the Big Ten Tournament championship against Northwestern in penalty strokes after double overtime and an NCAA Tournament victory over Old Dominion on their home field. It was the first time Iowa field hockey defeated Old Dominion. Those experiences helped get us to the Final Four.

What was the toughest stretch of your athletic career, and how did you work through it?
The toughest stretch of my athletic career came at the very end. Losing to Princeton in the NCAA quarterfinals on Grant Field in 1996 was a heartbreaking ending to my college career. It took time to process the disappointment, but I worked through it by reflecting on everything we had accomplished as a team. That experience taught me resilience and reminded me that our legacy was about much more than the outcome of one game.

Is there a particular moment in competition at Iowa that still stands out to you today?
A lot of moments in competition still stand out, but one in particular happened during my senior year in 1996 when we beat Penn State 5-1 on Grant Field. It was extra special because it was Senior Day.

Beyond your sport, what’s a favorite memory from your time in Iowa City?
I always enjoyed simple activities such as riding my scooter around campus, walking the ped mall, and making trips to Bruegger’s Bagels and The Airliner with friends.

Where has life taken you since your days at Iowa, and what are you passionate about today?
Since my days at Iowa, life has taken me through many meaningful chapters. I have been married for 25 years to my husband, Jim, and am the proud parent of three children, Ali (20), Nicole (18), and Jake (16). I taught middle school in Little Falls, New Jersey for seven years and coached field hockey at my former high school (West Essex Regional High School) for 18 years. I later took time away from teaching to raise our three children, which is something I deeply value. For the past 10 years, I have been back in the classroom teaching third grade. While I no longer coach high school field hockey, I still enjoy giving back to the sport by helping at clinics for younger athletes, which allows me to stay connected to the game and share my passion with the next generation.

How did being a Hawkeye student-athlete shape the person you became?
Being a Hawkeye student-athlete helped shape the foundation of who I am today. My time at Iowa taught me valuable lessons in discipline, perseverance, teamwork, and resilience. These values carried directly into my career as a teacher and field hockey coach. For 18 years, I coached high school athletes and always tried to pass along what I learned at Iowa. My experience as a Hawkeye also showed me the lasting impact coaches and teachers can have on a person’s life, shaping my focus on building confidence, character, and a strong work ethic in the students and athletes I work with.

Do you still have any treasured mementos or keepsakes from your Iowa days?
I still have a lot of treasured mementos from my Iowa days that are extremely meaningful to me. My Iowa gear, photos, letters, and team keepsakes are very special to me and continue to bring back lasting memories of my time as a Hawkeye and the incredible experiences I shared with my teammates and coaches.

Who do you share this honor with?
I share this honor with my husband and our three children, who are celebrating this milestone with me. I also share this honor with my parents and family, my coaches, and my teammates, who all helped shape not only the athlete I became, but also the person I am today. Finally, I share this honor with the students and athletes I’ve had the privilege to teach and coach over the years. As a teacher and field hockey coach, I have always tried to pass along the values I learned as a Hawkeye.

Hall of Fame Spotlights

Diane DeMiro Simmons, Field Hockey (1993-96)
Two-time NFHCA first-team All-American (1995, 1996). Three-time NFHCA All-West Region selection (1994, 1995, 1996). Three-time All-Big Ten honoree, earning first-team honors in 1995 and 1996 and a second-team nod in 1994. Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year (1995). Team Most Valuable Player (1995). University of Iowa Female Athlete of the Year 1995-1996. Led the team to a Big Ten Tournament Title (1994), 2 Big Ten regular season titles (1995, 1996), 3 NCAA Elite Eight appearances (1993, 1994, 1996) and 2 NCAA Final Four appearances (1993, 1994). Finalist for the Honda-Broderick Sports Award (1995-1996). Played at the United States Olympics/Sports Festival (1993, 1994,1995). Scored 48 career goals, including a team-high 18 in 1995 and 19 in 1996. Led the team in points in 1995 (46) and 1996 (45), also tied for the team lead in assists (10) in 1995.