Issue link: http://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/89746
Some Great News…and the "Big Four" M By Gary Barta inutes before this edition of Hawk Talk Monthly was delivered, we received some exciting news that I'm thrilled to share: The University of Iowa learned that our student-athletes had established all-time bests in six-year graduation rate — the benchmark for success used by the federal government — and the NCAA's more "real-time" Graduation Success Rate (GSR). The former came in at 77 percent — three percentage points better than last year's number that tied the 2001 report as our previous best. The latter came in at 87 percent, a point better than last year, and the seventh consecutive report of 81 or better. You can read the details of this news by clicking HERE. I encourage you to do so, too. Athletics is a world dominated by numbers. However, these are some of the most important numbers posted for all to see annually, because they speak directly to the commitment our student-athletes, coaches, support staff, and many others on the UI campus, have to achieving at the highest level academically. The return of the Black and Gold Basketball Blowout earlier this month on Mediacom Court inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena was an explosive and entertaining reminder that the college basketball season is right around the corner. It also reminded me to remind fans of the Hawkeyes — and men's college basketball across the state — of the 2012 Hy-Vee Big Four Classic that will be staged on Dec. 15 inside Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines. I'm excited about the Big Four event for many reasons, including one of the most obvious: Our commitment to this event means the Hawkeyes will make at least one appearance annually in our state capital for the enjoyment of fans of Fran McCaffery's team who live, work, and play in central Iowa. As much as we enjoy having this group help us fill Carver- Hawkeye Arena, we also knew it would be a positive for us to reciprocate and bring the Hawkeyes to them. However, this isn't a convenience that will be enjoyed exclusively by fans who, for example, call Polk County home. No, our thought process also included consideration of the fans of the Hawkeyes who live west of the Des Moines area, including those from the greater Sioux City area who enjoyed cheering Zach McCabe, Chris Rickert, Mike Gesell, and Adam Woodbury during their very successful high school careers. Clearly, a trip to Des Moines is much more manageable for this group of fans of Fran's team than a trip to Iowa City. Tickets to the 2012 Hy-Vee Big Four Classic go on sale Friday morning. Click HERE to learn how to make your purchase. Whether you live in Dubuque or Council Bluffs, Keokuk or Sioux City and all points in between, I invite you to join thousands of other fans of the Hawkeyes for a great aſternoon of college basketball. Go Hawks! 4 THE FIRST PAGE…