IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP) — An award-winning trainer who has worked with University of Iowa athletes for 40 years is retiring. Iowa on Thursday announced the retirement of John Streif, an assistant athletic trainer since 1972 and the athletic department’s travel coordinator since 1980. To Hawkeyes fans, Streif has long been a familiar face on the sidelines of sporting events.

Streif says he’s fortunate to have been involved with the university and is grateful to student-athletes and fans who’ve impacted his life. Iowa athletic director Gary Barta says Streif’s service to athletes and coaches has been “second to none” and he has touched the lives of so many people. The athletic training facilities at Carver Hawkeye Arena have been named in honor of Streif, thanks to a donation from former basketball player Ronnie Lester.