Athletic Communications Office

Media requiring assistance when reporting on the intercollegiate athletics program at the University of Iowa work with director of athletic communications Steve Roe, director of new media Darren Miller, associate director Matthew Weitzel and assistants James Allan, Chris Brewer, Traci Wagner and Patrick Sojka. Theresa Walenta is the office secretary. The athletic communications staff also includes graduate assistant Brady Johnson and student staff members Brandee Britt, Kasie Collins, Lyn Metzger, and Jimmy Novak.

Roe was named Director of Athletic Communications in July, 2011, after serving as interim director for one year. He joined the Hawkeye staff in 1990 and was named associate director in 1997. The Iowa City native earned his bachelor's degree from Buena Vista University and his master's degree from Northeast Louisiana University. He is the author of "HAWKEYES FOR LIFE", published in 2007. Steve and his wife, Janet, have a daughter, Nike, and a son, James, one granddaughter, Teagan (8) and a grandson, Jack (2). Both Nike (law degree) and James (bachelor's degree) earned degrees from the University of Iowa.

Weitzel was named associate director in July, 2012, after serving as assistant director since 1998. Matthew graduated from the University of Iowa in 1997 with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in journalism and mass communication, with an emphasis in business. The native of Mundelein, Ill., was a student in the sports information office for three years.

Wagner is in her 14th year as an assistant after previously serving as a student assistant for four years and as an intern for two years. A native of Iowa Falls, Wagner earned her degree in 1997 with a double major in journalism and communication studies. Traci and her husband, Jason, have a son, Nicholas, and a daughter, Sydney.

Brewer is in his fourth year as an assistant director after previously serving as a student assistant for three years. In 2004, the Iowa City native earned his English degree from the University of Iowa and served as a graduate assistant with the Detroit Lions media relations department. He and his wife, Brooke, have a daughter, Elyse, and a son, Del.

Sojka is in his first year as an assistant director, joining the staff in July, 2012. Patrick previously worked in the Iowa athletic communications office as an undergraduate assistant for three years and a graduate assistant for two. The Muscatine High School graduate (2006) earned his bachelors of business administration degree from Iowa in May of 2010 and his master's degree from Iowa in May of 2012.

Miller is in his sixth year as Director of New Media in the athletics department after spending nearly 20 years working in the newspaper and sports information professions. He is a 1984 graduate of Tipton (Iowa) High School and a 1988 graduate of Wartburg College, majoring in communication arts (journalism/public relations). Miller and his wife Ann have four children: Ashley, Melissa, Brittney and Kyle.

Allan is in his third year as a fulltime assistant at Iowa, joining the staff in November, 2010. It is Allan's second stint in the office, as he served as a student assistant from 2000-04. Allan returned to Iowa City after serving as the sports information director at the University of Missouri-Kansas City from 2005-10, and as the athletics media relations intern at Texas Christian University in 2004-05. The Hampton, Iowa, native earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Iowa in May, 2004. He and his wife, Mary Ann, have two sons, Jonathan and Will.

A member of the Iowa athletic department staff since 1988, Theresa Walenta has been a member of the athletic communications staff for 16 years. She is a lifelong resident of Iowa City.

THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
Athletic Communications Office

Mailing Address
S300 Carver-Hawkeye Arena
Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, Iowa 52242-1020
Phone: (319) 335-9411 | FAX: (319) 335-9417