TC Sports - March 30th

Drake Relays Presented By Hy-Vee Announces 100-Meter Hurdles Field And Additional Enhancements

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee unveiled another world-class field including Relays fan favorite Lolo Jones in the Rio Olympic Games Preview 100-meter hurdles.

The race will feature the Nos. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 hurdlers in the world according to Track & Field News, two-time Olympic medalist Dawn Harper-Nelson and the last two Drake Relays champions in Jasmin Stowers and Kristi Castlin.

VIDEO: Drake Relays director Brian Brown full press announcement

VIDEO: Drake Relays director Brian Brown announces the women’s 100-meter hurdles field

In addition to unveiling the latest world-class field, Drake Relays director Brian Brown also made the following announcements.

Throwers and jumpers to compete for additional money in ‘Leap For Loot’ and ‘Throw For Dough’ competitions.

Drake Relays Presented By Hy-Vee Mobile App Powered By MidAmerican Energy Now Available for download by clicking here for Apple iOS devices and here for Android devices.

Brown also announced that for the third-consecutive year, the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee will run on clean energy, thanks to a partnership with MidAmerican Energy. As Iowa’s largest energy provider, MidAmerican Energy retires enough renewable energy credits to offset the emissions for the entire week of the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee.

Jones, a native of Des Moines and graduate of Roosevelt High School, is a two-time Olympian and was named one of the Relays’ ‘Athletes of the Century’ during the centennial celebration.

Joining Jones in the field is a two-time Olympic medalist and the world’s No. 1 ranked athlete in the event in Dawn Harper-Nelson. Harper-Nelson was the 2008 Olympic gold medalist and 2012 silver medalist.

Jasmin Stowers is the defending Relays champion in the event and Relays record holder as well after winning in 12.40 last season to begin an outdoor campaign that would end with her ranked third in the world.

The No. 4 hurdler in the world, Brianna Rollins, returns to the Blue Oval after finishing fourth at last summer’s World Championship. She was also the 2013 World Champion in the event.

The 2013 World Championship bronze medalist will also be on the track as Tiffany Porter returns to Des Moines. She begins the outdoor season ranked fifth in the world.

Another Relays regular, Queen Harrison, returns after finishing 2015 ranked sixth in the world following a fifth-place showing at the World Championships.

The final top-10 competitor in the field is Kendra Harrison who in her first year as a professional, rose to No. 8 in the world rankings.

Completing the star-studded field is the 2014 Relays champion and one-time record holder Kristi Castlin.

Single-session tickets for the 2016 Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee are now on sale as are all-session and multi-session tickets. To secure your seats at Drake Stadium, visit www.DrakeRelays.org, www.DrakeTix.com or by calling the Drake Athletic Ticket Office at515-271-3647.

Drake Relays Presented By Hy-Vee Men’s 400 Meters To Feature Six Of The Top 10 In The World

DES MOINES, Iowa – Six of the top-10 400 meter runners in the world are set to grace the Blue Oval at the 107th Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee, Relays director Brian Brown has announced.

The Rio Olympic Games Preview 400-meter field includes the Nos. 2, 3, 4, 8, 9 and 10 competitors in the world according to the 2015 Track & Field News rankings. Additionally, the lineup includes six Olympians, two Olympic gold medalists and a silver medalist.

Returning to Drake Stadium in 2016 in the 2008 Olympic gold medalist and 2015 World Championships silver medalist, LaShawn Merritt. Merritt finished the 2015 season ranked No. 2 in the world. His personal best of 43.65 ranks his sixth fastest in the history of the event. 

2012 Olympic gold medalist Kirani James is also coming back to Des Moines to defend his 2015 Relays title that he earned with a Relays record time of 44.22. James finished 2015 ranked third in the world after claiming the World Championships bronze medal just behind Merritt. The Grenadian owns a personal best of 43.74 that ranks him eighth all-time in the event.

Finishing just behind Merritt and James at last summer’s World Championships was Luguelin Santos in fourth. The native of the Dominican Republic will challenge those two again at the Relays after earning a No. 4 world ranking last season. Santos also finished just behind James at the 2012 Olympics to earn a silver medal.

Chris Brown, a three-time Olympian, has also earned a lane in the 2016 Drake Relays. Brown has finished one spot off the podium in each of the last two Olympics, but earned a gold medal in 2012 as part of the Bahamas’ 4x400-meter relay team. He recently finished the 2015 season ranked eighth in the world.

Rabah Yousif was a 2012 Olympian for his native Sudan but has recently become a citizen of Great Britain, winning a bronze medal in the 4x400-meter relay at the 2015 World Championships for his new country. He was also a finalist in the 400 meters at the same World Championships and finished sixth to earn a final No. 9 world ranking.

Yousef Masrahi enters the outdoor season ranked No. 10 in the world with a personal best of 43.97. He was a 2012 Olympian representing Saudi Arabia.

Completing the initial field for the men’s 400 meter Rio Olympic Games preview is American David Verburg. He has a pair of World Championship gold medals to his name as a member of the U.S.A’s 4x400-meter relay team at the 2013 and 2015 World Championships.

Single-session tickets for the 2016 Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee go on sale to the general public on March 24 at 9 a.m. All-session and multi-session tickets for the 2016 Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee are currently available at www.DrakeRelays.org, www.DrakeTix.com or by calling the Drake Athletic Ticket Office at 515-271-3647.

Drake Relays Presented By Hy-Vee Announces Women’s 1,500 Meters Rio Olympic Games Preview Field

DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee will feature some of the top American women’s 1,500-meter runners in the Rio Olympic Games Preview field.

VIDEO: Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee director Brian Brown discusses the Rio Olympic Games women’s 1,500 meters.

The lineup is highlighted by eight runners who posted times that ranked in the top 20 in the U.S. in 2015 including Olympians Jenny Simpson and Morgan Uceny. Joining those veteran runners are the likes of the former World Junior Champion in the 3,000 meters, Mary Cain, and Brenda Martinez. 

Both Cain and Martinez make their return to the Blue Oval after Martinez competed in the 800 meters last season while Cain made her Drake Relays debut in 2013. Martinez recently finished fifth in the event at the World Indoor Championships, while fellow Rio Olympic Games Preview competitor Violah Lagat was eighth.

Heather Kampf, a Grand Blue Mile champion, is also in the field that is bolstered by the return of four-time USA Outdoor Champion Treniere Moser.

Also racing for the Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee prize purse will be Melissa Salerno, Heidi See, Rachel Schneider and Gabrielle Grunewald.

The Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee Rio Olympic Games Preview is scheduled for Friday, April 29 as part of Hy-Vee Night at the Drake Relays beginning at 7:52 p.m. 

Single-session tickets for the 2016 Drake Relays presented by Hy-Vee are now on sale as are all-session and multi-session tickets. To secure your seats at Drake Stadium, visitwww.DrakeRelays.org, www.DrakeTix.com or call the Drake Athletic Ticket Office at 515-271-3647.

Uthoff Named Associated Press All-America

Senior led Hawkeyes in scoring, blocked shots

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa senior Jarrod Uthoff was named Tuesday to The Associated Press (AP) All-America Third Team.

Uthoff becomes Iowa’s first AP All-American since Andre Woolridge earned third team laurels in 1997 and ninth overall. Murray Wier was an AP All-American in 1948, followed by Chuck Darling (1952), Don Nelson (1962), Sam Williams (1968), John Johnson (1970), Fred Brown (1971), Ronnie Lester (1979), and Woolridge (1997).

Uthoff is a consensus second-team All-American -- Iowa’s first consensus All-American in 64 years (Chuck Darling was a first team honoree in 1952). According to NCAA award guidelines for men’s basketball, consensus All-Americans are determined by their All-America recognition by the National Basketball Coaches Association (NABC), Associated Press, and United States Basketball Writers Association (USWBA).

Uthoff, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, ranked second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.9 ppg), first in blocked shots (2.6 bpg), and tied for 13th in rebounding (6.3 rpg). The forward ranks 19th in Iowa career scoring (1,298) and fourth in blocked shots (177). Uthoff (6-foot-9, 221 pounds) scored in double figures in all but one game this season, including netting 20 or more points a team-best 16 times.

Uthoff’s 624 points this season ranks eighth-most in Iowa single-season annals. The team co-captain is one of three Hawkeyes in program history to amass 1,000 points and 150 blocks in a career (Acie Earl and Greg Stokes). He was one of two players nationally to total more than 600 points, 200 rebounds, and 85 blocked shots (Stony Brook’s Jameel Warney). Uthoff is the second player nationally in the last 20 years to average two blocks and two 3-pointers per game (Duke’s Shane Battier in 1999-00 and 2000-01).

The Hawkeyes won 22 games, tied for third place in the Big Ten, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in 2016.

First Team                                                                 Second Team                                                   Third Team

Malcolm Brogdon, Virginia                                 Kris Dunn, Providence                                     Grayson Allen, Duke

Buddy Hield, Oklahoma                                       Perry Ellis, Kansas                                          Kay Felder, Oakland 

Brice Johnson, North Carolina                          Georges Niang, Iowa State                            Yogi Ferrell, Indiana

Tyler Ulis, Kentucky                                              Jakob Poeltl, Utah                                      Jamal Murray, Kentucky

Denzel Valentine, Michigan State                   Ben Simmons, LSU                                           Jarrod Uthoff, Iowa

Jarrod Uthoff Postseason Recognition

Division I CoSIDA Men’s Basketball Academic All-American of the Year

Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Finalist (Top Five)

CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America and First Team Academic All-District

Second Team All-America (Sporting News; USBWA)

Third Team All-America (NABC; Associated Press; Scout.com; USA Today; College Sports Madness)

Honorable Mention All-America (Sports Illustrated)

First Team All-Big Ten (Big Ten Conference, Associated Press, CBS Sports, HoopsHD.com)

Big Ten All-Defensive Team (five player team voted by league coaches)

Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (HoopsHD.com)

All-District (USBWA; NABC)

John R. Wooden Award National Ballot Top 15; Oscar Robertson Trophy Top 11

TC Sports - March 23rd

PODCAST - March In-Between

The Coaches Corner Podcast is a weekly podcast where sports editor Ryan Stonebraker sits down with area coaches to talk about their seasons.  Check it out at the link below:

Podcast - In Between Seasons

TC Sports - March 16th

Disterhoft Named Academic All-American of the Year

Junior 2-time Academic All-American studies accounting & finance at Iowa

AUSTIN, Texas -- University of Iowa junior Ally Disterhoft garnered 2015-16 Academic All-American of the Year honors for Division I women’s basketball Thursday morning, as announced by College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). She is a two-time Academic All-American, earning first team accolades this year and third team recognition as a sophomore.

Fellow Hawkeye basketball player Jarrod Uthoff was also named Academic All-America of the Year for Division I men’s basketball. It is the first year student-athletes from the same university have earned the prestigious award.

Disterhoft, a business major studying accounting and finance, possesses the highest GPA (4.03) of all Academic All-Americans and is the youngest student-athlete to earn first team distinction this year. In 2015, she was the only sophomore nationally to be named an Academic All-American.

The Iowa City, Iowa, native is an Academic All-Big Ten honoree, Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, and two-time Presidential Committee on Athletics Scholar-Athlete. She is a WBCA Allstate Good Works Team honoree for her efforts in raising helmet awareness on mopeds in the local community.

Disterhoft, a team-elected co-captain, has scored in double figures in every game this season and in 75 of her 81 consecutive career starts. She’s led the Hawkeyes offensively in 14 of 30 games, scoring 20 points or more in nine contests. The 6-foot guard/forward paces Iowa in points per game (16.9), and is third in rebounds per game (5.5), assists per game (2.6), and steals per game (0.9).

Disterhoft is a two-time second team All-Big Ten selection (2015, 2016). She is 11th all-time in scoring (1,485), 14th all-time in three-point field goals made (106), and 18th all-time in rebounding (594) in program history. She enters the Big Ten Tournament with a .530 field goal percentage, a .359 three-point field goal percentage, and a .717 free throw percentage. Disterhoft, who was named to the Big Ten Player of the Week Honor Roll twice, averages 36.4 minutes per game and is fifth in the conference and ninth nationally with 1,089 minutes played this season.

In 2014, Disterhoft was named honorable mention All-Big Ten and to Big Ten All-Freshman and Big Ten All-Tournament teams.

Iowa opens Big Ten Tournament action today at 11 a.m. (CT) against Michigan. Fans can watch the game live on the Big Ten Network.

Lovie Smith Named Illinois Football Coach

University Takes Bold Step Forward With Football Program

CHAMPAIGN, IL – Illinois Director of Athletics Josh Whitman took a major step in elevating Fighting Illini football in the national landscape with the hiring of longtime NFL coach Lovie Smith as head football coach.

“I am extremely excited to be named head coach of the Fighting Illini,” Smith said. “Josh approached me about this possibility, and I immediately seized on the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the young men who are part of the program today and in the future. I take this responsibility very seriously and can’t wait to get a staff in place to start our move to make Illinois a contender for Big Ten titles. We will play an exciting brand of football that will make our fans, alumni, student body and members of the University community extremely proud.”

Smith becomes the 25^th head football coach at Illinois. He is the second coach to move directly from head coach in the NFL to Champaign-Urbana after John Mackovic took the Illini head coaching position in 1988 following a career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

“Naming Lovie Smith as the Illinois head football coach is the first step in taking this program to a place of national prominence,” Whitman said. “We will build a program that contends annually for Big Ten and national championships. The timing for this move was extremely tight, and we needed to move quickly. A coach of Lovie’s caliber would not have been available to us if we had waited until after the 2016 season. Lovie’s reputation as a coach, and even more so as a person, made it clear it was an awesome opportunity for the University of Illinois.”

Interim Chancellor Barbara Wilson added her support to the hire.

“Just as he promised, Josh Whitman is taking bold and decisive action to ensure that Illinois athletics represents the same level of excellence as Illinois academics,” Wilson said. “Coach Smith shares our vision for success at the highest level, and I’m delighted to welcome him to the Illinois family.”

Smith returns to college football for the first time since 1996 after spending 19 years in the NFL, including 11 years as a head coach. He led the Chicago Bears for nine seasons from 2004-12 and amassed a record of 81-63 (.563 win pct.), including three division titles, two NFC Championship Game appearances (2006 and 2010) and a berth in Super Bowl XLI. The AP Coach of the Year in 2005, Smith’s 81 wins with Chicago are the third-most in Bears history. He spent the past two years as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where the Bucs improved from two victories in 2014 to six wins in 2015.

Before taking over as Chicago’s head coach, Smith spent three seasons with the St. Louis Rams as the assistant head coach/defensive coordinator (2003) and defensive coordinator (2001-03). He helped the 2001 Rams to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXVI. Prior to his time in St. Louis, Smith spent four seasons tutoring linebackers in Tampa Bay as part of Tony Dungy’s coaching staff, helping to create one of the league’s most dominant defenses of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Smith and Dungy became the first two African-American head coaches to coach in the Super Bowl when they faced each other in XLI.

Smith spent his first 14 years as a collegiate coach, working at Tulsa (1983-86), Wisconsin (1987), Arizona State (1988-91), Kentucky (1992), Tennessee (1993-94) and Ohio State (1995).

Smith and his wife, MaryAnne, are the proud parents of three children: Mikal, Matthew and Miles. A native of Big Sandy, Texas, Smith led the Big Sandy Wildcats to three consecutive state championships in high school and was all-state as a defensive end and linebacker. He went on to play collegiately at the University of Tulsa and was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Missouri Conference selection.

Smith and the UI have a six-year agreement calling for payments of $2 million annually for 2016 and 2017, $3 million for 2018, $4 million for 2019 and $5 million annually for both 2020 and 2021. He will have opportunities for performance incentives tied to team academic and athletic achievements. Smith’s appointment will be presented for UI Board of Trustee approval on March 16.

What They’re Saying …

“This is outstanding for the University of Illinois. If anyone asked me to identify someone from the NFL who would be great at coaching college football it would be Lovie Smith. He not only brings football expertise, but will help young men grow and have their best interest at heart. He is the type of coach I would want my sons to play for if they were playing college football. As an alum of the University of Minnesota, I’m not thrilled, but I’m happy for Illinois. This is a sensational hire. He’s going to have moms and dads very excited to have their sons play for him and grow as people.”

n  Tony Dungy, Former NFL Head Coach

“Lovie is someone I’ve known through coaching for almost 30 years. He’s an outstanding, thorough football coach, but more importantly, he’s a sincere, true person. This is a great move for Illinois. They’re getting a good man, both as a coach and as a mentor of young men. He’s outstanding at both. He’ll lead them in the right direction.”

n  Marvin Lewis, Head Coach, Cincinnati Bengals

“Lovie will do a great job. First, he’s a really good person. The players will react to Lovie very well because he’ll treat them right and with respect. Lovie is very smart and a very good football coach. He’ll be terrific for the Fighting Illini community. His familiarity with the state of Illinois and his name recognition, especially in Chicago, will create excitement with Illini fans and certainly be helpful in recruiting.”

n  Ron Turner, Head Coach, Florida International and Former Illinois Coach

Lovie Smith File and Coaching History

Hometown: Big Sandy, Texas

Family: Wife: MaryAnne Ford since November 1980; Children: Mikal, Matthew and Miles

DOB: May 8, 1958

Education: B.S., Tulsa, 1980

Playing Experience: Tulsa (1976-79)

2016                Illinois, Head Coach

2014-15          Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Head Coach (8-24)

2004-12          Chicago Bears, Head Coach (81-63)

2003                St. Louis Rams, Asst. Head Coach/Defensive Coordinator

2001-02          St. Louis Rams, Defensive Coordinator

1996-2000      Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Linebackers

1995                Ohio State, Defensive Backs

1993-94          Tennessee, Defensive Backs

1992                Kentucky, Linebackers

1988-1991      Arizona State, Linebackers

1987                Wisconsin, Linebackers

1983-86          Tulsa, Linebackers

1981-82          Cascia Hall Prep HS (Tulsa, OK), Asst. Coach/DB/WR

1980                Big Sandy HS (Big Sandy, Texas), Defensive Coordinator

 

Jok, Uthoff Named to USWBA All-District Team

Duo lead the Hawkeyes in a number of statistical categories

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa senior Jarrod Uthoff and junior Peter Jok were named Tuesday to the 10-player All-District VI team by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). The all-district honor comes one day after both being recognized on All-Big Ten teams.

Uthoff and Jok are two of four Hawkeyes in three years to garner all-district accolades (Roy Devyn Marble in 2014; Aaron White in 2015).

Uthoff, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.8), first in blocked shots (2.7), and tied for 10th in rebounding (6.5). The forward ranks 20th in Iowa career scoring (1,238) and fourth in blocked shots (172). Uthoff (6-foot-9, 221 pounds) has scored in double figures in all but one game this season, including netting 20 points or more a team-best 14 times. The team co-captain is one of only three Hawkeyes in program history to amass 1,000 points and 150 blocks in a career (Acie Earl and Greg Stokes). He currently is one of only two players nationally to total more than 550 points, 190 rebounds, and 80 blocked shots (Stony Brook’s Jameel Warney). Additionally, Uthoff is only the second player nationally the last 20 years to average two blocks and two 3-pointers per game (Duke’s Shane Battier in 1999-00 and 2000-01).

After averaging seven points per game a season ago, Jok (6-foot-6, 205 pounds) surged 8.8 points this year, averaging 15.8 points contest. The 8.8 improvement is tops among Big Ten players. The Hawkeye guard ranks second on the team and 10th in the league in scoring (15.8), and is first on the team in steals per game (1.4), 3-pointers made (71), and free throw shooting (.856, 83-of-97). Jok enters this week’s Big Ten Tournament having made his last 21 consecutive free throws. Jok scored in double figures 22 times as a junior, including tallying 20 points or more 10 times. His 29-point outburst at Rutgers on Jan. 21 ties for the seventh most by a Hawkeye during the Fran McCaffery era.

Joining Jok and Uthoff on the 10-player squad is Buddy Hield (Oklahoma); Perry Ellis (Kansas); Isaiah Cousins (Oklahoma); Monte Morris (Iowa State); Georges Niang (Iowa State); Ron Baker (Wichita State); Fred Van Vleet (Wichita State); Frank Mason III (Kansas).

Iowa (21-9, 12-6) will open play in the Big Ten Tournament on Thursday against either Minnesota or Illinois. Game time is approximately 1:30 p.m. (CT) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis (BTN).

Iowa Postseason Recognition

Jarrod Uthoff

Division I CoSIDA Men’s Basketball Academic All-American of the Year

CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America

CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District

Third Team All-America (USA Today)

Unanimous First Team All-Big Ten (Big Ten Conference and Associated Press)

Big Ten All-Defensive Team (five player team voted by league coaches)

USBWA All-District VI Team

First Team All-Big Ten (CBS Sports)

John R. Wooden Award National Ballot Top 15

Oscar Robertson Trophy Top 11

Peter Jok

Second Team All-Big Ten (Big Ten Conference, CBS Sports, Associated Press)

USBWA All-District VI Team

Mike Gesell

First Team CoSIDA Academic All-America

CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District

Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Big Ten Conference media voters)

Iowa Men’s Basketball Sportsmanship Award (Big Ten Conference) *

Adam Woodbury

Honorable Mention All-Big Ten (Big Ten Conference media voters)

* - honored three straight years

IOWA FOOTBALL CLINIC INFORMATION

  IOWA CITY, Iowa - - The University of Iowa football coaching staff will conduct the Iowa Hawkeye Football Coaches Clinic Friday and Saturday, March 25-26, in conjunction with the opening of spring practice.  The keynote speaker is Tom Moore, assistant head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. 
  Moore, a former Iowa player and coach, has 38 years of NFL coaching experience, including the last three seasons with Arizona.  During his NFL career, Moore has been with teams that have made 24 playoff appearances and four Super Bowl appearances while earning three Super Bowl titles.

  As an offensive coordinator, Moore coached Peyton Manning for 13 seasons, with Manning earning four of his five MVP awards while being coached by Moore.  Moore was a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers staff for 13 seasons and is a member of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.  He is also a member of the Rochester, Minnesota, Sports Hall of Fame, where he attended high school before earning his degree from Iowa.

  Moore began his coaching career at Iowa in 1961 after lettering for the Hawkeyes in 1959 and 1960.  He has been a college or professional football coach for 51 seasons. 

  The clinic will feature Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz and all members of the Hawkeye coaching staff, along with high school coaches from the state of Iowa and the Midwest. 

  Clinic sessions will be held at the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in Coralville, and at the UI football facilities on campus.  Registration begins at 10 a.m. Friday, March 25 at the Marriott, with the opening session slated for 11 a.m.  Five coaching sessions will be held at the Marriott on Friday.  Further information is available at hawkeyefbcamp.com.

  Session Two begins at 12:05 p.m. at the Marriott and features Iowa coordinators Greg Davis and Phil Parker, along with running backs and special teams coach Chris White. 

  A box lunch will be served at the Marriott beginning at 2 p.m., with on-field demonstrations to follow at 4:45 p.m.  The on-field demonstrations will feature Iowa assistant coaches Brian Ferentz, Bobby Kennedy, Reese Morgan, Seth Wallace, and LeVar Woods.
  
  Ferentz will address all camp attendees just before Moore is featured as the keynote speaker.  Friday’s activities conclude with distinguished service awards presentations and breakout talks featuring the Iowa coaching staff.

  Saturday registration will be held from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at the UI indoor practice facility.  A strength and conditioning demonstration with Chris Doyle and his Iowa staff will take place at 9:10 a.m. before Iowa’s spring practice at 10:30 a.m. in Kinnick Stadium.

  For further information, coaches can contact Ben Hansen or Terry Armstrong (319-335-8943) at the Iowa football offices.

  Iowa begins spring practice on Wednesday, March 23, with the final spring practice, open to the public, on Saturday, April 23, in Kinnick Stadium.  The Hawkeyes posted a perfect 12-0 regular season record in 2015 while winning the Big Ten West Division title and earning a spot in the 2016 Rose Bowl.

  Iowa opens the 2016 season with three straight home games, hosting Miami, Ohio (Sept. 3), Iowa State (Sept. 10) and North Dakota State (Sept. 17).
 

Uthoff Named Second Team All-America by USBWA

Hawkeye senior garners national recognition

  IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa senior Jarrod Uthoff was named Monday to second team All-America team by the United States Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). Uthoff becomes the first Hawkeye to ever be honored as a USBWA All-American.

  In addition to the USWBA, Uthoff has been named second team All-America by Sporting News, and earned third team accolades by USA Today and Scout.com.

  Uthoff, a native of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, ranks second in the Big Ten in scoring (18.9), first in blocked shots (2.7), and tied for 11th in rebounding (6.4). The forward ranks 19th in Iowa career scoring (1,259) and fourth in blocked shots (174). Uthoff (6-foot-9, 221 pounds) has scored in double figures in all but one game this season, including netting 20 points or more a team-best 15 times. The team co-captain is one of only three Hawkeyes in program history to amass 1,000 points and 150 blocks in a career (Acie Earl and Greg Stokes). He currently is one of only two players nationally to total more than 575 points, 190 rebounds, and 80 blocked shots (Stony Brook’s Jameel Warney). Additionally, Uthoff is only the second player nationally the last 20 years to average two blocks and two 3-pointers per game (Duke’s Shane Battier in 1999-00 and 2000-01).

  Iowa (21-10) will open play in the NCAA Tournament on Friday against American Athletic Conference regular season champion Temple (21-11). Game time is approximately 2:10 p.m. (CT) at the Barclays Center. The game will be televised nationally on truTV.

2015-16 USWBA Men’s Basketball All-America Team
First Team
Malcom Brogdon             Sr.           Virginia
Buddy Hield                        Sr.           Oklahoma
Ben Simmons                    Fr.           LSU
Brice Johnson                    Sr.           North Carolina
Denzel Valentine             Sr.           Michigan State

Second Team
Kris Dunn                             Jr.           Providence
Georges Niang                  Sr.           Iowa State
Jakob Poeltl                        So.          Utah
Tyler Ulis                              So.          Kentucky
Jarrod Uthoff                     Sr.           Iowa

Jarrod Uthoff Postseason Recognition

Division I CoSIDA Men’s Basketball Academic All-American of the Year

Karl Malone Power Forward of the Year Finalist (Top Five)

CoSIDA First Team Academic All-America

CoSIDA First Team Academic All-District

Second Team All-America (Sporting News)

Second Team All-America (USBWA)

Third Team All-America (USA Today)

Third Team All-America (Scout.com)

Third Team All-America (College Sports Madness)

Honorable Mention All-America (Sports Illustrated)

Unanimous First Team All-Big Ten (Big Ten Conference and Associated Press)

Big Ten All-Defensive Team (five player team voted by league coaches)

USBWA All-District VI Team

First Team All-Big Ten (CBS Sports)

First Team All-Big Ten and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year (HoopsHD.com)

John R. Wooden Award National Ballot Top 15

Oscar Robertson Trophy Top 11

 

Daniels Named B1G Freshman of the Week

Infielder hit .571 with 5 RBIs in 2 Hawkeye wins

  IOWA CITY, Iowa -- University of Iowa infielder/pitcher Zach Daniels has been named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week, the league office announce Monday. It is Daniels’ first career honor.

  The Robins, Iowa, native earned the distinction after hitting .571 with five RBIs and three runs scored in a pair of Hawkeye victories last week.  In his first career start, Daniels finished 1-for-3 with a run and four RBIs in Iowa’s 28-0 victory over Northwestern College.  The run total was the second-most in program history.

  

  Daniels’ bat stayed hot against Savannah State, where he finished 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI.  The three hits were a career-high.  The right-handed pitcher also made one appearance on the mound, tossing one scoreless inning against Omaha.  He gave up one hit and struck out a pair in a 3-2 Iowa loss.

  For the season, Daniels is hitting .400 (4-for-10) with six RBIs and three runs scored with a .500 slugging and .455 on-base percentage. As a reliever, he is 0-1 with a 1.93 ERA, striking out five in 4 2/3 innings.

  Daniels is the first Hawkeye to earn Freshman of the Week honors since Sasha Kuebel in 2012.

  Iowa is in the midst of closing out play at the Spring Swing at LakePointe.  The Hawkeyes head to Springfield, Missouri, from March 18-20 for an NCAA Regional rematch against Missouri State from March 18-20.

 

Big Ten Announces Hockey Postseason Honors

  ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Big Ten Conference announced the hockey All-Big Ten teams and individual award winners on Monday as selected by the conference’s coaches and a media panel. Michigan’s Kyle Connor was named Big Ten Player and Freshman of the Year, while also earning Scoring Champion honors. Michigan’s Zach Werenski was tabbed the Defensive Player of the Year, which is awarded to a defenseman or forward. Minnesota goaltender Eric Schierhorn was named the Goaltender of the Year and Wolverines’ head coach Red Berenson was selected as the Coach of the Year.
  Connor was tabbed Player and Freshman of the Year and Scoring Champion after leading the conference with 43 points and 22 goals in conference play. The freshman averaged a conference-leading 2.15 points per game in conference action to pace an offense that led all Big Ten schools with 5.35 goals per game in conference contests. Connor also led the conference with seven goals and 12 points on the power play in Big Ten games.
  Werenski was named Defensive Player of the Year after leading all Big Ten defensemen with 18 points and 14 assists in conference games. Nine of his points came on the power play, tallying three goals and six assists on the man advantage to lead all Big Ten defensemen in conference contests. The Wolverines finished second in the conference in scoring defense in Big Ten play.
  Freshman goaltender Schierhorn led the conference with 14 wins in conference play en route to Goaltender of the Year honors. He also paced all Big Ten goalies with a 2.67 goals-against average in conference play, including a shutout on the road against Wisconsin.
  Berenson won Coach of the Year honors after leading Michigan to a 22-7-5 overall record and a 12-5-3-2 conference mark. The Wolverines earned the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the Big Ten Tournament.
  Connor, Schierhorn and Werenski were joined on the All-Big Ten first team by Michigan’s JT Compher and Tyler Motte and Ohio State’s Josh Healey, with Connor being a unanimous selection. The second team consisted of Minnesota’s Michael Brodzinski, Hudson Fasching and Justin Kloos, Ohio State’s Nick Schilkey and Penn State’s Eamon McAdam and Vince Pedrie.
Connor and Schierhorn were unanimous All-Freshman Team selections. They were joined by Michigan State’s Zach Osburn, Ohio State’s Mason Jobst, Penn State’s Vince Pedrie and Wisconsin’s Luke Kunin.
  The Big Ten also recognized six Sportsmanship Award honorees. The students chosen are individuals who have distinguished themselves through sportsmanship and ethical behavior. These students must also be in good academic standing and have demonstrated good citizenship outside of the sports-competition setting. This season's honorees are Michigan’s Cristoval “Boo” Nieves, Michigan State’s Michael Ferrantino, Minnesota’s Jake Bischoff, Ohio State’s Craig Dalrymple, Penn State’s Luka Juha and Wisconsin’s Kevin Schulze.

State Girl's BB Preview

The Coaches Corner Podcast is a weekly podcast where sports editor Ryan Stonebraker sits down with area coaches to talk about their seasons.  Check it out at the link below:

2016 State Girl's BB Preview

TC Sports - March 9th

Ashby, Peterson & Christofferson 2016 IGHSAU Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees

Pat Ashby of Adel, Cedar Falls' Ellie Petersen and Exira's Hallie Christofferson are the 2016 inductees into the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's Basketball Hall of Fame. This year's class will be inducted at halftime of the Class 4A State Championship Saturday March 5.

Ashby starred for Adel from 1966 to 1970. A forward from Iowa's six-on-six era, she scored 3,696 points, which ranked 16th all-time at the time she graduated. Adel finished 77-13 in her four seasons and made a state tournament trip in 1970, scoring 40 points in a first round loss. Ashby was a first-team all-state selection in 1970, scoring 1,136 points. She was a fourth-team all-state pick as a junior. 

Peterson was a three-time first team all-state selection for Cedar Falls from 1998 to 2002. Peterson totaled 1,773 career points, 1,019 career rebounds with 379 career steals. Her career field goal percentage of .682 ranks seventh on Iowa's all-time list. As a junior, she helped the Tigers win the Class 4A state crown in 2001, averaging 16.4 points,  8.7 rebounds and was named captain of the 4A all-tournament. She led the state in field goal percentage as senior in 2002, shooting 70 percent from the field. Ellie joins sister Randi is also inducted into the IGHSAU Hall of Fame.

Christofferson starred at Exira from 2006 to 2010. She helped Exira make two state tournament appearances, leading her team to a Class 1A state championship in 2010. A three-time first-team all state selection, she is one of eight players in Iowa history with 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. Her 2,247 career points ranks eighth on the Iowa all-time list while her 1,320 rebounds places her third on the state's career rebound list.

Chrisofferson went on to star at Iowa State. A two-time unanimous first-team All-Big 12 selection, she played in four NCAA tournaments and ranks sixth on the Cyclones's career scoring list, eighth in rebounding and third in free throw percentage. She was of 10 finalists for the National Senior CLASS Award and was a three-time academic all-Big 12 selection.

NOTE: Christofferson is playing professional basketball in Greece and will not be in attendance at this year's ceremony. She does plan to be back in Iowa in 2017. She will be formally honored at next year's tournament. 

Mount Vernon's Maggie Willems Named Character Counts! Coach of the Year'

Mount Vernon volleyball and track & field coach Maggie Willems has been named the CHARACTER COUNTS! 2016 Coach of the Year. In recognition of this honor, a $1,000 cash award will be made in the name of Coach Willems to the Mount Vernon athletic department to further enhance character development initiatives. Willems will be honored with her award at the 2016 Girls State Basketball Tournament Friday, March 4 at halftime of the 2016 Class 2A State Championship game. 

The CHARACTER COUNTS! Coach of the Year Award honors a worthy recipient who embodies the Six Pillars of Character®: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring & Citizenship. Rather than spotlight winning records and isolated acts of heroism or generosity, the award was conceived to recognize individuals whose coaching lives and achievements demonstrate an enduring commitment to any or all of the following qualities associated with good character.

A 1996 graduate of Mount Vernon, Willems participated in track & field and volleyball at Midland University. She returned to her alma mater in 2005 and served as an assistant coach in track and volleyball and became the head coach in both sports in 2011. Her volleyball teams have reached the state tournament four times, reaching the semifinals three times with one runner-up finish. Her 2015 track & field team placed second in Class 2A. Willems is a two-time district coach of the year in volleyball twice and the Iowa Track & Field Coaches Association At-Large Coach of the Year honoree twice.

Willems and her husband, Nate are the parents to daughters Ava (7), Emery (5) and Marlie (3).

Waterloo West's Pappas Named 2016 IGHSAU Basketball Golden Plaque Recipient

Longtime Waterloo West  coach Dr. Tony Pappas is the 2016 basketball recipient of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union's Plaque of Distinction Award.
        

The IGHSAU's Golden Plaque of Distinction Award honors the Iowa coach who has demonstrated a successful career while making notable contributions toward school, community and the coaching profession. Pappas will be honored at halftime of the Class 2A State Championship game Friday, March 4.

Dr. Pappas, a native of Mason City, has been coaching Waterloo West girls basketball for 36 years. He has won over 500 career games and led the Wahawk girls to seven trips to the Iowa Girls State Basketball Tournament. He has reached the state championship game in 1999 and 2002.
    

Dr. Pappas has won numerous coaching awards. 2016 has been especially rewarding as Pappas was named the 2016 girls basketball National Coach of the Year by the National Federation of High Schools (NFHS) and also named as the 2016 recipient of the prestigious Morgan Wooten Award, given annually to the outstanding girls and boys high school basketball coach in the country. He is in the Iowa Girls Coaches Association’s Basketball Hall of Fame and was selected to coach in the 2011 McDonald’s all-American game. 

Pappas has been extremely generous to the game of basketball. He is a highly-regarded clinician and has directed basketball camps throughout the country and was a regional scout for the WNBA. He also coached the 1999 National Player of the Year Nina Smith along with the National Junior College Player of the Year Kristi Kincaid in 1989. Both girls are member of the IGHSAU Basketball Hall of Fame. 

Pappas has also served as Waterloo West’s athletic director since 2010. 

South Winneshiek's RaeAnn Klimesh 2016 E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Recipient.

  RaeAnn Klimesh, a senior from South Winneshiek High School, has been named the 2016 recipient of the E. Wayne Cooley Scholarship Award. RaeAnn was selected from  97 applicants from high schools across Iowa.
      The scholarship, in the name of longtime Iowa Girls’ High School Athletic Union Executive Secretary E. Wayne Cooley, is worth $15,000 over four years to assist the recipient as she attends the Iowa college or university of her choice. RaeAnn is considering attending Drake, Loras, or Wartburg.
     Miss Klimesh was one of six finalists for the award. Other finalists included: Hannah Rhoads, Newton; Gwynne Wright, Pekin; Jennifer Dickes, Cedar Rapids Xavier; Emma Chizek, West Hancock; and Grace Young, Iowa City West. The five runners-up all receive $1,000 scholarships.
       You would be hard-pressed to find someone as active as RaeAnn.  She ranks first in her class of 57 with a 3.99 GPA. She is active in the American Legion Auxilary and is the accompianist at her church in Calmar.  At South Winneshiek, she is involved in student government, choir, drama, band, large group and individual speech. Her Readers Theatre group won the critic’s choice banner at the Iowa High School Speech Association’s All-State Festival two weeks ago. RaeAnn was a three time state qualifier in cross country and was a member of South Winneshiek’s state qualifying 4x800 meter relay teams the last two seasons at the State Track and Field Meet.     

Karon Brown Recipient of First Lady Award

  Karon Brown, Senior Associate Executive Director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union, is the 2016 recipient of the First Lady Award.
    The former Karon McAdoo is a 1977 graduate of Prairie City. She became an employee of the IGHSAU in the summer of 1977 and has dedicated her 39-year professional career to making girls high school athletics in Iowa second to none.
    Her career at the IGHSAU began as a receptionist before becoming secretary to former IGHSAU Executive Director Dr. E. Wayne Cooley. She has held positions as an administrative assistant, Assistant Director, Associate Director and currently Senior Associate Director. 
    Brown's work at the IGHSAU has been largely behind the scenes. She is the primary liaison with the IGHSAU Board of Directors and the Representative Council and manages the schedules of the many events that take place during Athletic Union state tournaments and events.  She also is the IGHSAU’s general office and human resources manager.
    In addition to her work with the IGHSAU, Brown serves as the Executive Vice President of the Iowa High School Speech Association, a position she has held since 2002. 
    Karon and her husband of 33 years, Rick, are the parents of two children; Ben (26) and Blair (23). 

TC Sports Section - March 2nd