UISRM’s guided field experience practicums continue to connect students with a range of successful organizations. Furthermore, the industry-focused coursework provides students with projects and responsibilities that develop knowledge, skills, and abilities that position them for success in a range of sport and recreation roles. During the 2024 fall and winter sessions, over 100 students earned course credit and strengthened their experience portfolio through guided field experience working with organizations such as Hawkeye Athletics, Special Olympics Iowa, Kids on Course, and more. Listed below are each of the three practicums, names of all students who successfully completed each practicum, and highlights from the experience.
Winter Special Olympics
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the Special Olympics Iowa Winter Games practicum! This course is offered during the winter session in collaboration with the Therapeutic Recreation program and the Disability Studies Certificate, both in the Health and Human Physiology Department.
UI Sport and Recreation Management Students: Kaylee Alivo, Matt Bechtel, Anna Bernhard, Jeff Bowie, Emily Dulik, Rachel Eddy, Kyle Frank, Garrett Friday, Graham Friedrichsen, Olivia Galica, Devyn Greer, Travis Hantz, Noelle Herwig, Nick Hunter, Khullen Jefferson, Kalil Johnson, Sidney Kane, Abby Kay, Kole Knutson, Mikey Kogan, Kael Kolarik, Mason Lantz, Max Llewellyn, Maddy McFarland, Maris Miller, Carson Nasstrom, Ty Nissen, Xavier Nwankpa, Ella O’Brien, Lincoln Oakley, Owen Parker, Will Parker, Jaziun Patterson, Pearl Reisz, Scott Ross, Robby Schmitz, Violet Sliwa, Billy Stoynoff, and Ben Wilmes.
Additional UI Students: Megan Bretwisch, Eva Burbidge, Nick Cory, Katie Curtis, Sidney Davis, Aphton Farrington, Jada Golden-Smith, Jessica Groark, Peter Hentges, Katiri Hodgkinson, Niko Kenyon, Isabella Kerstetter, Kaitlyn Klein, Anna Lynk, Abbi Martin, Piera McBride, Olivia Schuster, and Nikolas Soofi.
In our fifth year partnering with the Special Olympics of Iowa, the contingent of University of Iowa students supported a record number of athletes from across the state as they converged on Dubuque, Iowa in early January. While most students were still enjoying their winter break, Sport and Recreation Management students worked with students from Therapeutic Recreation and Disabilities Studies to help run the competitions for the 2025 Winter Games. Preparation for this included three weeks of online coursework learning about disabilities, the Special Olympic movement and accommodations necessary for full participation. For the first time in our tenure, all competitions (Alpine Ski, Cross Country Ski and Snowshoe) were held simultaneously at Sundown Mountain. This supported an overall greater sense of community among athletes and volunteers; we are looking forward to an even bigger year in 2026!
Fans First Practicum
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the Fans First practicum and provided excellent guest services and event management at a variety of local events!
Matt Bechtel, Ethan Bockelman, J.J. Conner, Drew DeLong, Jared Hargrafen, Maddy McFarland, Mattie Moats-Carr, Cade Mozell, Jack O’Connor, Connor Olson, Yoselyn Reyes-Ortiz, Tray Rompa, Brooke Santefort, Carly Schrum, Billy Stoynoff, Evan Talebi, Joey Vogdes, Josh White, Leah Zimmerman, and Noah Zukowski.
This group worked over 1,600 hours with Hawkeye Athletics. The events included Field Hockey, Football, Fry-Fest, Men’s Basketball, Wrestling, Soccer, Track and Field, Volleyball, Women’s Basketball and Swimming. Students delivered exceptional customer service through activities such as driving golf cart shuttles, setting up concession stand stanchions, answering fan questions, and providing support to the event management staff through other operational tasks.
UISRM Agency
Congratulations to each of the students who successfully completed the UISRM Agency practicum and provided innovative solutions to a range of sport and recreation industry partners!
Graduate students Musa Dlamini and Kaitlyn Mitchell, along with undergraduates Madelyn Sullivan, Jack Botta, Gavin Skale, Violet Sliwa, Alex Tuttle, Nate Harbert, Kaitlyn Hanna, Josie Snyder, Evan Schuster, Dawson Livingston, Josh Thomas, Dylan Carman, Taylor Ciabatti, Cole Hoffmeyer, Ella O’Brien, Samantha Meents, Jeff Bowie, Owen Carstensen, Brynley McDermott, and Mason Lantz.
The fall UISRM Agency worked with clients ranging from football to golf to pickleball. The ongoing relationship with the Zach Johnson Foundation’s Kids on Course program included a campus visit and interaction with multiple departments between academics, UI Housing & Dining, and UI Athletics. Strategy-focused projects and recommendations were also provided for Iowa 7-on-7 football and Paddle Wars pickleball leagues.