It’s a new era for University of Iowa athletics.
Iowa is known for many things: a passionate fan base, a steady stream of success across all sports and a traditional way of doing things. Change is not all that common in Iowa City. After 17 years of serving as Iowa’s athletics director, Gary Barta announced his upcoming August retirement.
An interim athletics director is set to be announced next week. Current Deputy Director of Athletics and Chief Operating Officer Beth Goetz is the likely favorite for the interim position and could perhaps take over the role permanently.
A former All-American soccer player, Beth Goetz has done a great deal in the world of collegiate athletics over the past few decades. She has worked in some notable athletics departments and is no stranger to taking over a role on short notice.
A rising star in the world of colligate athletics, Goetz has been recognized nationally for her efforts at Ball State, both on and off the field. Given her background and national recognition by the NCAA, Goetz appears to be a candidate perfectly suited to uphold Iowa’s great tradition, while bringing the Hawkeyes into a new era.
Here is a more detailed look at a name that many are speculating just might be the Hawkeyes’ next athletics director.
All-American Pedigree
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Beth Goetz was an accomplished soccer player, earning All-American accolades at Brevard College (N.C.). She was inducted into the college’s Hall of Fame in 2017. Goetz would finish her collegiate career playing Division I soccer for Clemson, where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.
A longtime head coach
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Goetz continued her academic career at the University of Missouri-St. Louis, earning her Master’s degree in 2000. From 1997-2008, she was the head coach of the Tritons’ women’s soccer team, amassing a 120-90-9 overall record.
Big Ten experience
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Beth Goetz already possesses Big Ten athletics experience from her time with the University of Minnesota. Goetz served as the deputy athletics director and senior woman administrator from 2013-15. In 2015-16, she took over as the interim athletics director.
Success at Ball State
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From 2018-22, Goetz served as the director of athletics for Ball State University. Ball State won 10 Mid-American Conference championships during the time Goetz served as athletics director. Goetz also guided Ball State to strong marks in the Reese and Jacoby Trophy standings, which honors the top men’s and women’s athletics programs in the MAC.
Further showing her fit with Iowa, Ball State achieved strong progress in the classroom during Goetz’ tenure. Ball State athletics earned its highest-ever Academic Progress Rate (992) in 2020-21, besting the previous mark of 991 accomplished in 2018-19.
National recognition
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During her time with Ball State, Goetz was a rising star. Goetz was recognized by the Indianapolis Business Journal as one of the publication’s 2021 Women of Influence. Goetz was named vice chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee before 2021-22 and serves as chair in 2022-23.
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