HAWK TALK

October 2019

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19 V icki Brown spent the first four weeks of the University of Iowa's volleyball season as interim head coach. Two days before conference play began, she was called into an unexpected meeting about the program's future. A little over 24 hours later, Brown was named Iowa's 10th head coach in program history. "I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to continue to lead this group of young women and represent this great university," said Brown. "I can't thank (University of Iowa Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair) Gary Barta and (Deputy Director of Athletics) Barbara Burke enough for their support and belief in what we are doing. e department has shown so much support, and I look forward to the future of this program." It surprised Brown when she was approached about remaining with the team long term. "I was in shock because there are so many things going on with the program," Brown said. "I didn't foresee (the administrators) making a decision that early in the season." Barta liked what he saw with Brown in charge. "I have been incredibly impressed with Vicki's leadership with each passing day," Barta said. "As our interim head coach, Vicki successfully moved us through a challenging period during the offseason and more recently through nonconference play. Vicki has earned this opportunity as our head coach, and I am excited for her to lead our volleyball program in the years ahead." Brown, the youngest head coach in the Big Ten, earned the position aer leading Iowa through a tumultuous offseason, while keeping the team together. "e word I kept hearing was that it was earned, and they didn't see it as a gi and it wasn't presented as a gi," Brown said. "It was a lot about my interactions with the players and getting the team through adversity this summer. I was able to keep the team and our recruits together and turn them into the team you're seeing on the court this year." While Brown's future is secure in Iowa City, the pressure hasn't le. It has changed. "It's a new pressure that has been put on," Brown said. "In the long term, it's about maintaining our recruits and growing all avenues of our program with a majority of our focus going into the team we have now. We are getting into the nitty gritty of our season. We need to continue to focus on the next thing in front of us with an attack mentality." With the team's head coach locked in for the foreseeable future, the next thing for Brown is to get settled. "Personally, I want to buy a house," Brown said. "I love Iowa City." OCTOBER SCHEDULE Oct. 5 at Penn State Oct. 11 Michigan Oct. 13 Michigan State Oct. 16 Ohio State Oct. 20 Indiana Oct. 25 at Purdue Oct. 26 at Indiana

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