Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/527664
107 Here's one to toss out for consideration at your next neighborhood barbecue: What UI sports pro- gram currently has 20 alumni in the NCAA coach- ing ranks? e answer is an obvious one given the program's rich history of tradition and success: Field hockey. Please note that I didn't suggest it was the most of any UI program. I would be inclined to sug- gest that both our football and field hockey pro- grams have a comparable number — if not a greater number — of former Hawkeyes sprinkled about the coaching ranks in their sports as well. e next "Big Mover in Year 2?" It's not difficult to point to the Iowa baseball program as the big surprise in 2014-15. Rick's squad climbed the lad- der quickly, ascending to unexpected heights in the second season on his watch. So, who's next? ere is a lot to like about Year 2 for Lisa Cellucci (field hockey), Bond Shymansky (volleyball), and Dave DiIanni (soccer), and I'm going to be cheering hard for all, but I'm going to put my nickel on Joey Woody's track and field programs. You have to like the momentum and the talent that returns. Lastly, it's appropriate to recognize two UI Athletics Department staff members who retire this month aer years of tremendous service to the UI and the Iowa Hawkeyes: Associate Athletics Director Fred Mims and Assistant Athletics Director Les Steen- lage. I suspect both will remain engaged in our community and engaged in the goings on around campus and within intercollegiate athletics. anks, Fred and Les. Your contributions were significant. R andom thoughts as we begin to wrap up the 2014-15 athletics year at the University of Iowa… As Director of Athletics Gary Barta noted in his contribution to this edition of Hawk Talk Monthly, the 2014-15 year has been a record-breaker for the Hawkeyes. e final Learfield Directors Cup standings won't be official until aer the conclu- sion of the College World Series — and the ad- dition of points to the UI's total as a result of the success of Rick Heller's Hawkeyes occurs — but it's likely we'll set a record on that scorecard (Win) to go along with the outstanding work that was accomplished in the classroom (Graduate) and in the community (Do it Right) by the Hawkeyes. We owe it to ourselves to smile about what was accom- plished because it was significant. Speaking of baseball, let's talk craziness. Is there anything crazier than being a college baseball coach during the two days of the annual Major League Baseball dra and the days that follow immediately thereaer? If you have a competitive program — and thanks to the work of Heller, his staff, and the Hawkeyes, the UI has one today — you sit there and hold your breath while hoping you exit the process with your team relatively still intact. You never want to hold a young man from chasing his dream — five current Hawkeyes and two incoming freshmen were selected by MLB teams earlier this week — but it has to be gut- wrenching to watch the roster you thought you would have the next fall become something less. Heller received great news when one of the best two-way players in the country — Tyler Peyton — affirmed his commitment to the Hawkeyes, a col- lege education, and a shot at the "Bigs" next year at this time.