Athletic Communications

Athletic Communications

Media requiring assistance when reporting on the intercollegiate athletics program at the University of Iowa work with director of athletic communications Steve Roe, director of athletic content Darren Miller, associate directors Matthew Weitzel, James Allan, and Chris Brewer, assistant directors Hannah Ossman, Jack Rossi, and Traci Wagner, and UI athletics director of photography Brian Ray and assistant director of photography Stephen Mally. The athletic communications staff also includes interns Shane Sturtz and Maggie Wesley, and student staff members Sam Basler, Andrew Breitfelder, Natalie Iacopetti, Hannah Myers, Grace Tafolla, Bailey Turner, and Peter Zucker.

Roe was named Director of Athletic Communications in July, 2011, after serving as interim director for one year. He joined the Hawkeye staff in 1990 and was named associate director in 1997. The Iowa City native earned his bachelor’s degree from Buena Vista University and his master’s degree from Northeast Louisiana University. Steve and his wife, Janet, have a daughter, Nike, and a son, James, two granddaughters, Teagan (14) and Lydia (6), and a grandson, Jack (9). Both Nike (law degree) and James (bachelor’s degree) earned degrees from the University of Iowa.

Wagner is in her 21st 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.

Weitzel was named associate director in July, 2012, after serving as assistant director since 1998. 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. Weitzel and his wife, Carrie, live in Iowa City.

Brewer was named associate director in 2016 after serving as an assistant director since 2009. He was named Division I Wrestling Sports Information Director of the Year by the National Wrestling Media Association (NWMA) in 2016. In 2004, the Iowa City native earned his English degree from the University of Iowa and served as a graduate assistant with the Detroit Lions media relations department. He and his wife, Brooke, have a daughter, Elyse, and a son, Del.

Miller was named director of athletic content in 2016 after serving as director of new media in the University of Iowa athletics department for 10 years. Prior to that, Miller spent nearly 20 years working in the newspaper and sports information professions. He is a 1984 graduate of Tipton (Iowa) High School and a 1988 graduate of Wartburg College, majoring in communication arts (journalism/public relations). Miller and his wife, Ann, have four children: Ashley, Melissa, Brittney and Kyle, and one grandson, Ryker.

Allan was named associate director of content in 2016 following seven years as a full-time assistant. It is Allan’s second stint in the office, as he served as a student assistant from 2000-04. Allan 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 from the University of Iowa in May, 2004. He and his wife, Mary Ann, have four children, Jonathan, Will, Eleanor, and Olivia.

Rossi joined the staff as a fulltime member in June, 2018. He served as a student assistant in the Athletic Communications office as an undergraduate and as an intern for two years. Rossi is a native of Gurnee, Illinois, and earned his bachelor’s degree from Iowa in Journalism in 2016.

Ossman joined the full-time staff in August, 2019, after assisting for a year in the department as an intern. The Farmington, Illinois, native earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and journalism and master’s degree in sport management from Northern Illinois University. There, she worked in their Athletic Communications department as a student assistant and graduate assistant.

Ray joined the UI athletics department in December, 2013, as serves as the athletics department director of photography. Ray previously was the Iowa City chief photographer and senior visual journalist for the Cedar Rapids Gazette and is a Davenport, Iowa native. Ray earned a bachelor’s degree from Iowa in journalism and psychology in 2002. Brian and his wife, Joanna, have a son, Boston, and a daughter, Joslynn.

Mally is in his first year as assistant director of photography for the athletics department. Prior to joining the Hawkeye staff Stephen was a staff photographer at the Cedar Rapids Gazette.

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Athletic Communications Office

Mailing Address
S300 Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1020
Phone: (319) 335-9411

HAWKEYE ATHLETIC COMMUNICATIONS STUDENT ALUMNI
(email additions and updates to matthew-weitzel@hawkeyesports.com)

James Allan (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2004)/Associate Director, University of Iowa Athletic Communications
Megan Becker (B.A., Communication Studies; B.A., Sports Studies, 2010)/Account Coordinator, 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)/Director of Digital Engagement, Stamats Communications
Austin Bramley (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2017) Assistant Director, Augustana University Athletic Communications
Chris Brewer (B.A., English, 2004)/Associate Director, University of Iowa Athletic Communications
Brandee Britt (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.S., Sports Studies, 2015)/Assistant Director, University of Iowa Athletic Marketing
Rick Brown (B.A., Journalism, 1976; M.A., Journalism, 1977)/Retired from 38-year career at Des Moines Register; contributor, hawkeyesports.com; reporter, Principal Charity Classic
Jordan Bucher (B.B.A., Marketing, 2016)/Regulatory Assistant, Mortgage Bankers Association
Exodus Cardoza (B.A., Communication Studies, 2015)/Lead Patient Appointment Access Specialist, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics
Ashley Carlson (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Health & Sports Studies, 2012)/Internal Communications Manager, Hearth & Home Technologies
Eric Clark (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2014; M.S. Journalism, 2015)/Technical Writer, Freelance Journalist, and Copywriter
Scott Cornelis (B.B.A., Economics, 2000)/Head of Capital Markets, BorrowersFirst, Inc.
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)/Manager, Brand Marketing, WME | IMG – Collegiate Licensing
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)/University of Denver Athletic Communications
Doug Haake (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.S., Health and Sports Studies, 2003)/Senior Academic Advisor, Stan Richards School of Advertising and Public Relations, University of Texas at Austin
Jessa Hansen (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2012)/Assistant Women’s Gymnastics Coach/Recruiting Coordinator, UC Davis
Bryan Harlan (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 1984) /President, Harlan Sports Management, Chicago
Jordin Hatcher (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Health and Sports Studies, 2009)/Senior Associate Brand Manager, Bridgestone/Firestone
Jana Hemphill (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2005)/Development Associate, Deshutes Land Trust
Jake Holtorf (B.A., Health and Sports Studies, 2008)/Territory Manager, 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)/Business Leadership Director, Momentum Worldwide
Breanna Kellogg (B.S., Sport and Recreation Management, 2018)/Sales Representative, Dallas Mavericks
Janey Kiryluik (B.A., Sports Studies; Business Administration, 2005; M.A. Sports Management, 2007)/Vice President, Corporate Communications, Wells Fargo
Mike Lageschulte (B.A, Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A, Communication Studies, 1993)/Special Projects Director, University of Utah Athletic Communications
Kevin Lake (B.A. Communication Studies, 1996)/Director of Parks and Recreation, City of DeWitt
Robbie Lehman (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2011)/ Client Experience Specialist, FastModel Sports
Steve Malchow (B.A., Marketing; 1984; B.A. Information Systems, 1990)/Senior Associate Athletics Director for Communications, Iowa State University
Amber (Gartner) McDonald (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Communication Studies, 2005)/Field Account Specialist, Martin Brothers Distributing
Jen (Duda) McGrath (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communication; B.A., Sociology, 2000)/Corporate Relations Manager, Allstate Foundation
Lyn Metzger (B.S., Sports Studies; Spanish, 2015)/Ticket Operations Coordinator, Chicago Fire
Andrea (Breen) Miller (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2007)/Legal Assistant and Yoga Instructor
James Novak (B.A., Communication Studies, 2013)/E-Commerce, Sales/Marketing, Southwick Technologies
Meghan O’Keefe (B.A., Communication Studies, 2010)/Senior Marketing Manager
Hayley Otto (B.A., Communication Studies; B.S., Recreation and Sports Business, 2015)/Marketing Specialist and Account Coordinator, The Specialized Marketing Group, Inc.
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)/Digital Marketing Manager, PGA Tour
Megan Rowley (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Theatre Arts, 2015)/Assistant Director, Communications, Big Ten Conference
Brad Rudner (B.A, Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A, Communication Studies, 2010)/Associate Director, University of Michigan Athletic Communications
Ben Schmitz (B.S., Liberal Arts: Communications Studies, 2014)/Public Relations Intern, Chicago Bears
Erin (Zein) Scott-Burnham (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.S., Health, Leisure and Sports Studies, 2001)/Technical Editor, ACT
Nate Sheehan (B.A, Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., English, 2010)/Assistant Director, University of Alabama Athletic Communications
Alex Snyder (B.S. Sport and Recreation Management, 2017)/Recreation Assistant, City of North Liberty
Patrick Sojka (B.B.A, Marketing, 2010; M.A. Recreational Sports Management, 2012)/Associate Director, Arizona Athletics Development
Kyle Soldwich (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Sports Studies, 2013)/Assistant Director of Annual Giving Programs, University of Northern Iowa
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)/Vice President, Programming Strategy, VICELAND
Sam Stych (B.S, Sport and Recreation Management, 2015)/Chicago White Sox Media Relations Intern
Carson Tigges (B.A., Communication Studies, 2008)/Marketing and Communications Supervisor at UnityPoint Health
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)/Director of Communications, University of Illinois at Chicago
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 Director, University of Iowa Athletic Communications
Tony Wirt (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 1999)/Author