Media requiring assistance when reporting on the intercollegiate athletics program at the University of Iowa work with Assistant Athletics Director, athletic communications Steve Roe, associate directors Matthew Weitzel and James Allan, assistant directors Hannah Ossman, Sam Basler, Bailey Turner and Traci Wagner, and UI athletics director of photography Brian Ray and assistant director of photography Stephen Mally.

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 (18) and Lydia (9), and a grandson, Jack (12).

Wagner is in her 24th 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, Nicholas, 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. He and his wife, Carrie, have a two-year old son, Grey, and an infant daughter, Owen Rose.

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.

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 the Athletic Communications department as a student assistant and graduate assistant. Hannah has an infant son, Elias.

Basler is in his first year as a fulltime staff member after serving as an intern for one year and as a student assistant for two years. He previously was a student assistant in the sports information department at Gonzaga University (2018-19). The West Des Moines native earned his bachelor’s degree in sports management from Gonzaga and his master’s degree in sport and recreation management from Iowa.

Turner was named assistant director of communications in 2022. It is Turner’s second time in the office, as he served as a student assistant from 2017-20. Turner returned to Iowa City after serving as an assistant director at North Texas from 2021-22, and as an athletic communications assistant at Middle Tennessee. The Boone, Iowa, native earned his bachelor’s degree in sports and recreation management from the University of Iowa in 2020.

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 fourth 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 (Rowley) Althoff (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Theatre Arts, 2015)/Director, Communications, Big Ten Conference
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) Project Director, Sioux Falls Sports Authority
Chris Brewer (B.A., English, 2004)/Communications Manager, University of Iowa
Brandee Britt (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.S., Sports Studies, 2015)/Director, University of Iowa Athletics Social Media and Digital Strategy
Rick Brown (B.A., Journalism, 1976; M.A., Journalism, 1977)/Retired from 38-year career at Des Moines Register; reporter, Principal Charity Classic, reporter, Hawkeye Nation
Jordan Bucher (B.B.A., Marketing, 2016)/Associate Director of Member Relations, 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)
Doug Haake (B.S., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.S., Health and Sports Studies, 2003)/Academic Advisor II, University of Florida Innovation Academy
Jessa Hansen (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2012)/Assistant Women’s Gymnastics Coach, University of Iowa
Bryan Harlan (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 1984) /President, Harlan Sports Management, Chicago
Jana Hemphill (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications, 2005)/Development Associate, Deshutes Land Trust
Jake Holtorf (B.A., Health and Sports Studies, 2008)/Regional Vice President, 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
Jordin (Hatcher) Manfred (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Health and Sports Studies, 2009)/Senior Brand Manager, Bridgestone Americas
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)/VP of Marketing and Fan Engagement, Vegas Golden Knights
Brad Rudner (B.A, Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A, Communication Studies, 2009)/Senior Communications Specialist, AAA Life Insurance Company
Ben Schmitz (B.S., Liberal Arts: Communications Studies, 2014)/Communications Assistant, 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)/Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development and Premium Sales, UNLV
Kyle Soldwich (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communications; B.A., Sports Studies, 2013)/Assistant Director of Annual Giving Programs, University of Northern Iowa
Bailey Turner (B.A., Sports and Recreation Management, 2020)/Athletic Communications Assistant, Middle Tennessee State Athletics
Matt Stueland (B.A., Communications, Film and TV Production, 1998)/Vice President, Programming Strategy, VICELAND
Shane Sturtz (B.A., Journalism & Mass Communication, and Sports Studies, 2019)/Digital Media Assistant/Social Media, Duke Athletics
Sam Stych (B.S, Sport and Recreation Management, 2015)
Carson Tigges (B.A., Communication Studies, 2008)/Marketing and Communications Supervisor at UnityPoint Health
Lea Stover (B.S., Radiation Science Carver College of Medicine, 2010)/UI Clinical Specialist, Medtronic Surgical Technologies
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
Peter Zucker (B.A., Enterprise Leadership, 2020)/Project Coordinator, John Deere Classic