Issue link: https://catalog.e-digitaleditions.com/i/390706
57 connection. e capability they have to consume the information on their own time makes it easy for them and for us as coaches to generate a higher volleyball IQ in our team." e returners on the Hawkeye volleyball team have also noticed the benefits of having access to footage and feedback from their coaches at all times. "Being able to watch film on our own time, hear feedback from our coaches, and watch footage from games and practices with their input has been good for us," senior Kari Mueller said. "It's been nice to watch that information the day or night before practice, learn it, and take all that information into the practice or game. "We get instant feedback. When we watched film as a team without our iPads last year, we wouldn't get individual feedback until a few days later. Now we can watch ourselves and our opponents instantly together and implement it sooner, which helps us improve our game." e application of the iPads is also helping student-athletes in the academic arena. ey have the ability to check class schedules, schedule tutoring sessions, and view information in the Grades First application. Coaching staff members also have access to each student-athlete's class schedules through their iPads, which makes scheduling practices, meetings, and meals an easy process. It is a valuable communication tool as well. Team members and coaches can message one another to spread updates instead of calling or sending a text message. S elect University of Iowa athletic teams have noticed a change in scouting reports, coaching feedback, and individual instruction this year. e difference? UI volleyball, field hockey, football, men's basketball, and women's basketball teams are using iPads to communicate and get a leg up on the competition. To make this a possibility, the UI created a Hawkeye Student-Athlete Technology Fund. Donors were given an opportunity to support technological advances that would benefit student- athletes. "Providing the best student-athlete experience is always a priority for us," UI director of athletics Gary Barta said. "Technology is one of the areas we were able to invest in that allows them to be more efficient and effective. We are also thankful that some of our donors also expressed an interest in investing in technology and because of this, we will continue to explore these types of opportunities." First-year head volleyball coach Bond Shymansky is excited about what the iPads have helped his team and staff accomplish this season. "e iPads are great for sharing video with our team," Shymansky said. "We share video on our opponents, our team, individual reps, and team reps. We can show them in small bites of video clips, and they can access that information anywhere on campus or where there is a Wi-Fi "Providing the best student-athlete experience is always a priority for us. Technology is just one the areas we were able to invest in that allows them to be more efficient and effective. We are also thankful that some of our donors also expressed an interest in investing in technology and because of this we will continue to explore these types of opportunities." Gary Barta, UI director of athletics