IOWA CITY, Iowa — The University of Iowa plans to begin construction of a new Gymnastics and Spirit Squads Training Center this fall, pending approval by the Board of Regents, State of Iowa.

The new, climate-controlled practice facility will feature competition-style beams, vault runways, uneven bars and a floor-exercise space. In addition to nearly 21,000-square-feet of practice space, the facility will house locker rooms, meeting and athletic training rooms, office space and a multi-purpose room. The $20 million project — paid for by athletics department revenue and private gifts — will be built on the Hawkeye Campus, adjacent to the women’s soccer and field hockey facilities on Prairie Meadow Drive.

“(Head) Coach (Larissa) Libby has done a remarkable job leading our gymnastics program. I am excited we are providing a dedicated training space for these incredibly talented student-athletes,” said Beth Goetz, interim Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie director of athletics chair. “Our spirit squad, dance team and Herky spend countless hours representing our athletics program, and the institution. This facility will create efficiencies for both of these programs.”

The women’s gymnastics team has historically practiced in the Field House, which is outdated and not adequately sized for the program. The Spirit Squads do not have a dedicated practice facility and has historically practiced in one of the Field House gyms.

“I am thrilled at the idea of a new facility in the works for my team,” Libby said. “We have been successful in many key areas over the past several years; within the community, academically and athletically, so we are eager to take the next steps forward in further depth of success for this team.

“A new facility opens a whole new world of opportunity for us in every aspect. From efficiency of practice, time management, recruiting and the overall safety and well-being of our student-athletes, we will be looking to set a new standard for how people view Iowa gymnastics. Among all of these exciting new standards is the strong and firm demonstration of the university’s commitment to the Rise of women’s sports at Iowa.”

The women’s gymnastics team finished the 2023 season ranked No. 26 nationally, reaching as high as No. 15 during the regular season. Libby, a three-time Big Ten Coach of the Year, has led the program to 22 consecutive NCAA Regional appearances (either as a team or individually) during her Hawkeye tenure. This is Libby’s 20th season as head coach and 23rd overall with the program.

“The opportunity for the Iowa Spirit Squads to have its own practice facility is amazing,” said Gregg Niemiec, UI cheerleading coach. “Having the Marley dance floor and cheer mats permanently installed, the sound system built in, and game/fitness items just steps away is a game changer for our teams. This is a place we can call home.”

This facility is part of the Hawkeye Women: RISE campaign, a transformational initiative to support women’s athletics at Iowa. To support the campaign, or for additional information, visit www.hawkeyewomenrise.org

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa men’s basketball team released the details of the 2023-24 schedule on Tuesday.  The 20-game Big Ten Conference slate was released live on BTN Today.

2023-24 SCHEDULE NOTES

– Iowa will open the regular season with three of its first four games at home, including two straight to start the year.

– Iowa will open its Big Ten slate at Purdue (Dec. 4) for the second time in three seasons.  The Hawkeyes hosted the Boilermakers in 2020-21 and traveled to West Lafayette in 2021-22.

– Iowa will travel to Ames, Iowa, to face Iowa State in the Iowa Corn Cy-Hawk Series matchup on Dec. 7 before hosting Michigan in the second December Big Ten game on Dec. 10.

– The Hawkeyes will play back-to-back conference road games twice during the regular season.

– Iowa will play six weekend home games (three Saturday, three Sunday) — all six against Big Ten foes. The team has home weekend games inside Carver-Hawkeye Arena twice in February and in the regular season finale.

– The Hawkeyes will also play five Friday home games, including two against Big Ten competition – Nebraska (Jan. 12) and Ohio State (Feb. 2).

– Iowa has a stretch of seven home games over a 10-game span from Dec. 10-Jan. 24.  That includes a stretch of four of five league home contests in early January, hosting Rutgers (Jan. 6), Nebraska (Jan. 12), Purdue (Jan. 20) and Maryland (Jan. 24).

– The Hawkeyes will play on Super Bowl Sunday for the fifth straight season and seventh time in nine years.  The Hawkeyes will host Minnesota in Iowa City on Feb. 11.

– Seven of Iowa’s final 12 Big Ten games will be played on the road.

– The Big Ten Tournament will be held in Minneapolis from March 13-17.

– Iowa will host Quincy in an exhibition on Oct. 30 before opening the season against North Dakota on Nov. 7.

The Hawkeyes return three starters – guard Tony Perkins and forwards Patrick McCaffery and Payton Sandfort — and five letterwinners from a team that went 19-14, finished tied for fifth in the Big Ten Conference and qualified for the NCAA Tournament for a fourth straight year.  Iowa also welcomes five newcomers to the roster, including Valparaiso transfer Ben Krikke and Belmont transfer Even Brauns.

Season tickets and Fight for Iowa Mobile passes are available by contacting the Iowa Athletics Ticket Office at hawkeyesports.com/tickets or by calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS.

AMES, Iowa – Iowa State sophomore punter Tyler Perkins has been recognized as the Ray Guy Award Punter of the Week after his efforts in the Ohio game.

Against the Bobcats, Perkins punted five times and dropped four of the kicks inside the 20-yard line. Two of the punts were at least 50 yards and he averaged 43.8 yards per attempt.

The Norwalk, Ohio, native has had an outstanding start to his second season, improving his punting average from 42.2 yards as a freshman to 50.5 yards this season. His net punting average is 45.5 yards and 10 of his 19 punts have been at least 50 yards, one more than his freshman season. Nine of his punts have pinned opponents inside the 20.

His 50.5 punt average ranks second nationally and he owns one of three 70-yard punts nationally this season.

Perkins and the Cyclones host Oklahoma State on Saturday at 3 p.m. on FS1.