Category: Iowa Hawkeyes

Beth Goetz named University of Iowa’s Interim Athletics Director

In a move that had been speculated, it became official today. Beth Goetz has been named the University of Iowa’s Interim Athletics Director.

The University of Iowa has its new head of the athletic department not too long after the upcoming retirement of Gary Barta was announced. The Iowa Hawkeyes have announced that Beth Goetz is now officially named the Interim Athletics Director.

This news comes from the Hawkeyes’ official site and that Goetz’s role will take effect on August 1. Goetz is currently the deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer for the university.

Hawkeyes Wire’s Jacob Keppen delved into her athletic and professional history and why buzz was building that this might be a possibility last week.

“Beth is a talented and respected leader not only at Iowa, but also at the national level in college athletics. I am grateful she has agreed to lead this crucial part of our university and I am confident she will generate a lot of excitement and forward momentum for our student-athletes, coaches, athletics staff, and Hawkeye fans,” said Iowa President Barbara Wilson.

Beth Goetz has been at Iowa since September of 2022. Prior to joining the university, she was the Director of Athletics at Ball State and brings that experience with her in this next role. Other experiences include time as the Chief Operating Officer and Senior Woman Administrator at the University of Connecticut and as the Interim Athletics Director at the University of Minnesota.

“I want to congratulate Gary Barta on his long career at Iowa and thank President Wilson for putting her trust in me and the tremendous people we have here at Iowa. The Hawkeyes have a proud and storied tradition with the greatest fan base in the country, and I am appreciative of the opportunity to lead the department. I am committed to supporting our talented coaches, staff, and student-athletes as we build on the positive trajectory of athletic and academic excellence,” Goetz said.

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Iowa Hawkeyes 2023 Snapshot Profile: No. 4 Leshon Williams

Leshon Williams is the veteran voice in the running backs room. What does the redshirt junior bring to the table in the Hawkeyes’ backfield?

Running back Leshon Williams enters this season as the veteran of the backfield.

In a room surrounded by first and second-year players, the redshirt junior will play a crucial role as the experienced voice of the backfield. He will also be a vital change of pace option to mix things up with the Iowa rushing attack.

Leshon Williams is a player who can provide a lot more for the Hawkeyes this year than his statistics from last season suggest. The stats last year weren’t ideal at all, but, as with most backs, you have to really include context.

The offensive line in front of him struggled, especially in the beginning of the season when he received the most work. There were so many times were he was met immediately in the backfield and just had to make it back to the line of scrimmage.

Just watching his game, there is a lot to like. He runs hard and given some sort of a lane, he can be a productive back. All offseason the coaching staff has been raving about his progress, adding even more intrigue. Here’s a look at backup running back Leshon Williams.

Iowa Hawkeyes 2023 Snapshot Profile: QB No. 5 Joe Labas

Joe Labas directed the Black and Gold to a bowl victory over Kentucky. Does he wind up as QB2? His 2023 snapshot profile.

When looking at the quarterback position for the Iowa Hawkeyes, do not forget about sophomore Joe Labas.

While much attention has been given over the offseason to transfer additions Cade McNamara and Deacon Hill, the Hawkeyes still have a returning backup candidate in Labas. Though his playing time wasn’t extensive over the past few seasons in Iowa City, Labas has been able to learn the offensive system. He’s spent more time with Brian Ferentz than any other quarterback on the roster and has been groomed into his system over the past couple of seasons.

Also, this goes without saying, but Joe Labas is the only quarterback currently on the roster who has actually thrown a pass for the Black and Gold. He started and saw his first career action in the Hawkeyes’ 21-0 Music City Bowl victory over Kentucky. While his stats were not spectacular in his first outing for Iowa, he did manage to throw a touchdown and limit the bad plays.

Much of what Iowa asks from their quarterbacks is to game manage and simply not mess up. Labas sort of already showed that he can do that, albeit in some weird circumstances. Kentucky really looked like they were just there for a scrimmage in that bowl game.

With the competition for the backup quarterback slot behind Cade McNamara heating up, here is a look at Joe Labas.

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This is just the beginning with ‘suspicious wagering activity’

This is just the tip of the iceberg.

When reports surfaced that the Ohio Casino Control Commission was looking into suspicious wagering activity, many wondered if this was a one-time event or just the tip of the iceberg. It appears that it is the latter.

The probe into the suspicious wagering activity ended with the firing of Alabama baseball head coach, Brad Bohannon.

“Alabama director of athletics Greg Byrne announced he has initiated the termination process for head baseball coach Brad Bohannon for, among other things, violating the standards, duties, and responsibilities expected of University employees,” said Alabama in a press release. “Bohannon has been relieved of all duties and Jason Jackson will serve as the interim head coach. There will be no further comment at this time pending an ongoing review.”

It wouldn’t be long before we saw more reports surface about teams being investigated. On Monday, two more schools were reportedly dealing with investigations stemming from wagers being made. In the state of Iowa, both Power Five schools were reporting violations.

The Iowa Hawkeyes provided information on their potential violations through a press release.

The University of Iowa and the Department of Athletics are aware of the sports wagering investigation and are fully cooperating. We have alerted the NCAA of the potential violations and we have hired outside counsel to assist in the investigative process.

The athletics department provides education on NCAA rules regarding the the prohibition of sports wagering as well as the potential consequences.

According to the release, the university received information on 111 individuals. That number included 26 student-athletes across baseball, football, men’s basketball, men’s track and field, and men’s wresting. One individual is a full-time employee of the UI Department of Athletics.

Iowa State released a statement on Monday afternoon as well.

“Iowa State University and its Department of Intercollegiate Athletics is aware of online sports wagering allegations involving approximately 15 of our active student-athletes from the sports of football, wrestling and track & field in violation of NCA rules. The university has notified the NCAA and will take the appropriate actions to resolve these issues.”

NCAA rules prohibit athletes, coaches and staff from betting on amateur, collegiate and professional sports in which the NCAA conducts a championship.

What remains to be seen is how the NCAA will handle any punishments for all parties involved. One thing you can be sure of, this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Post spring composite rankings have Georgia, Michigan at the top

Check out where your favorite team ranks in the composite spring rankings.

Heading into the 2023 college football season, most of the headlines will involve the Big Ten and SEC conferences. In our composite rankings, those two conferences make up the top five. Overall, the Pac-12 had the second most teams appear.

Here is the full breakdown of teams by conference:

SEC 8
Pac-12 6
Big Ten 5
Big 12 5
ACC 3
G5/Independents 4

The four polls that make up the post-spring football composite rankings:

Using the four polls we had ties at the No. 3, No. 12, No. 21, No. 27, and No. 30 spots among the teams listed. The full post-spring rankings are listed below, ties listed in alphabetical order.

Sell-out crowds and recording-setting performances, this is women’s NCAA basketball

Women’s basketball and teams set a slew of records.

For another straight game, there was a sell-out crowd in women’s March Madness. The 2023 Final Four games set records in viewership and recorded sell-out crowds, and the national championship game did it again.

While the viewership numbers have yet to be announced, the attendance set a record. Not only was it a sellout crowd for the LSU and Iowa matchup, at 19,482, but it set a Women’s March Madness all-time attendance record with 357,542 fans.

The fans, however, weren’t the only ones breaking records as both teams set their own personal, team, and school records.

LSU’s Angel Reese recorded the most double-doubles in a single season with 34, breaking her own previous record of 33. She finished the game with 10 rebounds and 15 points. LSU walked away with the win which is the first basketball national championship, men’s or women’s for the program. Additionally their 102-85 victory is the most points scored in a women’s championship game

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark was 50% from the three-point line with six made three-pointers in the first half. She broke the single-tournament record for most 3-pointers made with 32 and the single-tournament record for most points scored with 191 points, beating the previous points record set by Sheryl Swoopes.

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Twitter agreed: officiating in March Madness tournament was trash

“May you freely walk over obstacles in life like Kim Mulkey can on a basketball court”

When all sports Twitter comes together to raise concerns over something, you know it’s bad. Fans on both sides of the aisle along with prominent basketball media made it known that the officiating in the women’s national championship game was awful. Not just awful, downright atrocious. Multiple players on both teams had two fouls in the first quarter.

LSU walked away with the national championship defeating Iowa, 102-85.

While people have complained about the officiating all tournament, the level of whistles and fouls called in the championship game was on another level. The game had a sellout crowd, and the boos from both sets of fans were sometimes loud and deafening.

Even Iowa’s head coach Lisa Bluder, who is known for her calm and composure, was visibly upset on the sidelines.

Some speculated how LSU’s head coach Kim Mulkey could walk onto the court and make contact with an official and not get called for a technical. One thing is apparent, the officiating in this game was not professional and seemed to follow no rules.

LSU Tigers win first basketball championship in school history

LSU’s Angel Reese recorded the most double-doubles in a single season with 34, breaking her own previous record of 33.

The Iowa Hawkeyes and LSU Tigers came out with a vengeance in the National Championship game on Sunday. However, LSU walked away with the national championship defeating Iowa 102-85.

In the first half, LSU was shooting over 69% in 3-pointers made with Jasmine Carter shooting 5-5. The Tigers were over 52% from the paint and over 90% from the free throw line. At the half, LSU leads the Hawkeyes 59-42.

Iowa’s Caitlin Clark is 50% from the three-point line with six made three-pointers in the first half. She broke the single-tournament record for most 3-pointers made with 32 and the single-tournament record for most points scored with 191 points, beating the previous points record set by Sheryl Swoopes.

LSU’s Angel Reese recorded the most double-doubles in a single season with 34, breaking her own previous record of 33. She finished the game with 10 rebounds and 15 points. While her teammate, Jasmine Carson finished the game with 22 points and 3 rebounds with 15 points coming from 3-pointers alone. Five LSU players walked away with double-digit scoring.

Clark made eight 3-pointers in the game and had 30 points, 2 rebounds, and 8 assists. Three other players also had double-digit scoring for the Hawkeyes, but it just wasn’t enough to take down the Tigers.

The game was another sellout crowd with 19,482. Women’s March Madness as a whole just set an all-time women’s attendance record with 357,542 fans.

Women’s Final Four most-viewed women’s semifinals games in ESPN history

The LSU and Virginia Tech game peaked at 5 million views while South Carolina and Iowa peaked at 6.6 million.

The women’s final four were the most-viewed NCAA D1 women’s college basketball semifinals in ESPN history with an average of 4.5M viewers. The LSU and Virginia Tech game peaked at 5 million views while South Carolina and Iowa peaked at 6.6 million. They were the 2 most-viewed basketball games, men’s or women’s, ever on ESPN+.

This comes as no surprise to anyone who watched these fierce matchups. The South Carolina and Iowa game was a sell out with 19,288 fans in attendance. The American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas held the Final Four games and holds the National Championship on April 2. This arena is home to the Dallas Stars of the NHL and the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA.

LSU and Iowa will take the stage one last time this season on April 2 to see who will take home the National Championship. This is the first time in program history the LSU Tigers, men or women, have made it to the National Championship game. This is the first time Iowa’s women’s basketball program has reached the National Championship game and only the second time in school history.

The D1 National Championship takes place Sunday, April 2 at 2:30 p.m. CT on ABC.

Sights and sounds from the women’s Final Four open practices

A look at the women’s Final Four open practices from Alex Sinatra.

Tickets for the women’s Final Four are more expensive than the men’s Final Four. It’s almost like when you give more television time and devotes more resources to something, it grows. Who would have thought?

The women’s Final Four is taking place in Dallas, Texas, at the American Airlines Center. The venue held open practices for each of the four teams competing this year and it was free to the public on March 30.

Gates Open 10:00 a.m.
Virginia Tech Open Practice 11:00 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.
LSU Open Practice Noon – 12:50 p.m.
South Carolina Open Practice 1:00 p.m. – 1:50 p.m.
Iowa Open Practice 2:00 p.m. – 2:50 p.m.

The Final Four takes place on March 31st, Division II and Division III national championships take place on Apr. 1, and the Division I national championship game takes place on Apr. 2.

For open practices, DJ Shawna was mixing the music and each team had a different musical vibe.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqUBEfnrsRi/

Virginia Tech was the first to practice and this is the first time they are on the big Final Four stage. They went into March Madness as a No. 1 seed and are the 2023 ACC Women’s Champions. They matchup against LSU on March 31 at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Next up was “Bayou Barbie”, Angel Reese, and the rest of the LSU Tigers. The fans went wild during the entirety of LSU’s practices. ISDs in and around Dallas-Fort Worth bused in students to watch the festivities and experience the overall atmosphere of a Final Four.

LSU is seeded No. 3 in the tournament, but are playing like a No. 1 seed. Their last win to cement their place in the Final Four was against Miami and Mulkey indicated they didn’t shoot well in that game but rebounding and defense helped them advance.

The next team was South Carolina and the immaculately dressed Dawn Staley.

Staley indicated during an on-court interview with ESPN’s Holly Rowe that it takes a team of unselfish players to build this Gamecocks dynasty. She indicated for their team it takes “8-10 players to truly get those National Championships.”

Caitlin Clark and the Iowa Hawkeyes rounded out the open practices. Hawkeye fans were out in full force and made their presence known. Iowa takes on South Carolina on March 31 at 8:00 p.m. CT.

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