The University of Iowa has ensured stability in its athletic department by extending Beth Goetz’s contract as Athletics Director until January 31, 2032. This decision comes as collegiate sports continue to evolve, and it reflects the university’s confidence in her leadership.
Appointed as the Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics, Goetz took on the role of athletics director in January 2024. Under her leadership, the department, which comprises 22 sports, has seen significant success across various competitions.
UI President Barbara Wilson lauds Goetz for her leadership, stating, “Beth is an exceptional leader who understands that success at Iowa begins with our student-athletes and extends to our coaches, staff, fans, and the entire Hawkeye community. She has brought vision and integrity to this role, and just as importantly, she understands what makes Iowa unique. Beth has built tremendous trust across our university and throughout Hawkeye Nation, and I am very happy that she will continue to lead our athletics program.”
A Historic Year for Iowa Athletics
The contract extension follows a remarkable 2025-26 year for Iowa athletics, marking it as one of the department’s most successful periods. The year included four NCAA individual national championships, three Big Ten championships, and 29 All-Americans. Additionally, nine programs concluded their seasons ranked in the nation’s Top 25.
The men’s basketball team made it to the Elite Eight for the first time in nearly four decades. Men’s wrestling secured a fourth-place national finish, while women’s wrestling achieved the national runner-up position. Both women’s basketball and women’s soccer advanced to the Round of 32 in NCAA competitions. Notably, Iowa was among only two schools nationwide to win a bowl game and end up in the top 20 of the AP polls for football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball. The athletics department also achieved a record $103.7 million in fundraising.
Goetz expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for continuing her role, saying, “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the Hawkeyes and our student-athletes, and thankful to President Wilson and our leadership for their trust. I’m fortunate to be surrounded by coaches and staff who care deeply about Iowa and a fan base that makes this place so special. We are proud of the tradition we carry forward, excited about where we are headed, and I truly believe our best days are ahead.”
The academic achievements of Hawkeye student-athletes paralleled their athletic successes. Four student-athletes earned Academic All-America honors, while 271 were recognized as Academic All-Big Ten. The student-athletes maintained an average GPA of 3.29, marking the 11th consecutive year with an average above 3.0, alongside an 89% Graduation Success Rate.
Goetz initially joined the University of Iowa in September 2022 as deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer. She served as interim athletics director from August 2023 before becoming the 13th athletics director following a national search in January 2024.
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