IOWA CITY, Iowa – Former University of Iowa infielder Mason McCoy has been called up from Triple-A Buffalo to the Toronto Blue Jays. The official transaction took place Tuesday.

“We couldn’t be happier for Mason,” said head coach Rick Heller. “He is a great player and a great Hawkeye. Mason is a perfect example of what you can achieve if you truly believe in yourself and just keep putting in the work. He has earned this opportunity.”

The Washington, Illinois, native is hitting .226 over 402 at bats in Triple A as a member of the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays systems this season. He has notched 64 RBIs, 66 runs, 12 home runs and 23 stolen bases.

McCoy played for the Hawkeyes from 2015-17. He hit at a .311 clip tallying 68 RBIs, 92 runs, 14 stolen bases and seven home runs. He was an American Baseball Coaches Association/Rawlings Mideast first-team all-region honoree and a second-team All-Big Ten selection in 2017.

McCoy was selected in the sixth round of the 2017 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Baltimore Orioles with the 188th pick.

McCoy is the second player in Heller’s Iowa tenure to get the call to the Majors, joining Nick Allgeyer. He is the seventh player to reach MLB who played under Heller, joining Sean Manaea, Dakota Bacus, Colin Rea, Jake Petricka and Ryan Strausborger — all of whom played for Heller at Indiana State.

The Blue Jays face the Washington Nationals today at 6:07 p.m. (CT) in Toronto.

THIS WEEK

The University of Iowa women’s soccer team travels to Starkville, Mississippi, on Thursday to take on Mississippi State at 6:30 p.m. (CT) at the Mississippi State Soccer Field. The Hawkeyes return home on Sunday to host Senior Day vs. Southeast Missouri State at the Iowa Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

WATCH/FOLLOW LIVE

• Thursday’s match will stream on the SEC Network+, while Sunday’s game will stream on B1G+. Subscriptions are required for both platforms.
• Links to streaming and live stats can be found at hawkeyesports.com/soccergameday.
• Fans can follow the Iowa soccer program on Twitter (@HawkeyeSoccer) for live in-game updates.

SCOUTING THE BULLDOGS

• Mississippi State started the season 3-0-1 with victories over Grand Canyon (2-1), Northwestern State (3-0) and FIU (2-0). The Bulldogs tied Arizona State in a scoreless match on Aug. 20.
• Last season, Mississippi State finished with a 12-6-2 record and earned the first SEC Tournament and NCAA Tournament victories in program history.
• The Bulldogs return leading scorers Haley McWirther and Maggie Wadsworth, who scored 20 points apiece last season. Starting goalkeeper Maddy Anderson also returns.

SERIES HISTORY – MISSISSIPPI STATE

Iowa and Mississippi State tied, 1-1, in the only meeting between the two schools on Sept. 5, 2021.

SCOUTING THE REDHAWKS

• SEMO fell to Missouri, 4-0, in the season opener on Aug. 17 before picking up a pair of wins vs. Grambling State (4-1) on Aug. 20 and at Southern Illinois (2-0) on Aug. 27. The Redhawks tied, 0-0, vs. Evansville on Aug. 24.
• Cayla Corner leads the way offensively with six points on two goals and two assists. Emily Baker has also scored a pair of goals for the Redhawks.
• Last season, SEMO finished 8-6-3 with a 4-2-2 Ohio Valley Conference record.

SERIES HISTORY – SEMO

Iowa leads the all-time series, 2-1-0. The Redhawks won the first meeting between the two programs, 2-1, on Sept. 18. 2005. The Hawkeyes have won two straight in the series, most recently downing SEMO, 2-0, on Sept. 12, 2021.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

• Head coach Dave DiIanni is in his 10th season at the helm of the Iowa women’s soccer program. Last fall, the Hawkeyes finished 5-6-7 overall with a 2-3-5 Big Ten record, a few points shy of conference postseason qualification. Iowa returns eight players with at least three years of collegiate playing experience, including seventh-year player Josie Durr and fifth-year Samantha Cary, who was a captain last fall. Cary helps lockdown a Hawkeye defense that averaged just one goal allowed per game over the past two seasons while posting 13 clean sheets during that span.
• Many of those veterans played for Iowa during its Cinderella-run in the 2020-21 postseason, which saw a two-win regular season result in the first Big Ten Tournament Championship and NCAA Tournament win in school history. One such player is redshirt junior Meike Ingles, who scored all four of her goals that year in the postseason, including three game-winners during the Big Ten Tournament. Ingles netted a hat-trick in fall 2021 vs. Illinois (10/17) and scored Iowa’s first goal of the 2023 season at FGCU.
• Another offensive headliner is junior Elle Otto, whose three goals, five assists and 11 points last season are returning team-bests. Otto leads Iowa with two goals and five points this season.
• Senior Macy Enneking returns in goal. Enneking ranks fifth in program history for career wins (16) and sixth in career shutouts (11).
• Iowa welcomes 16 newcomers, including 13 freshmen and three transfers.
• Cary, Enneking and Ingles were named to the Big Ten Preseason Honors List.
• Cary, Enneking, and senior Maggie Johnston were voted team captains for the 2023 season.

IOWA CITY, Iowa – The University of Iowa rowing program welcomes graduate assistant coach Molly Rygh and Assistant Coach/Director of Operations Paige Schlapkohl, head coach Jeff Garbutt announced on Tuesday. Rygh and Schlapkohl are both former members of the program.

“I am so excited to have Molly join the staff as she continues her graduate program,” Garbutt said. “She was an amazing member of the team during her four years here. Being one of our original Homegrown Hawkeyes, she brings a unique perspective to our staff that will be valuable in our athletes’ development. Her experience as a Hawkeye and leadership abilities will be huge assets to our staff.”

Throughout Rygh’s rowing career at Iowa, she earned honors as a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, two-time Academic All-Big Ten, CRCA Scholar Athlete, and was a three-time letterwinner. Rygh raced on II Varsity 8+ boats and helped Iowa win B1G/Big 12 Double Dual in 2023. She is the daughter of Chris and Mary Beth Rygh. She studied elementary education throughout her time as a Hawkeye.

Garbutt also added, “Having Paige return home to Iowa City is amazing. In my time at Iowa, I can’t think of a better example of what our program embodies. She was one of our walk-ons during her freshman year, was a member of our Varsity Eight boat in her last season, competed at Henley, and eventually studied and rowed at Oxford Brookes University in England. Her Hawkeye story is one that is a tremendous example of what it means to be a Hawkeye rower and we are fortunate to have her back!”

As a sophomore, Schlapkohl helped the 2N8+ crew to a first-place finish at the Big Ten/ACC Double Dual. She appeared in eleven competitions on the II Varsity Eight crew, one including helping Iowa to second place at the Big Ten Championships her final year at Iowa.

A Davenport, Iowa native, Schlapkohl is the daughter of Loren and Nancy Schlapkohl. She also studied elementary education at UI and finished her degree at Oxford Brookes University in England.

(Radio Iowa) – With highs forecast in the 90s across much of Iowa this weekend, it won’t feel at all like fall, but an autumnal activity will kick off that’s a sure sign the cooler weather is coming soon. Nate Carr, an Iowa D-N-R conservation officer for Hamilton and Hardin counties, says two popular Iowa hunting season are opening on Friday.

Iowa’s teal season is short and runs just through September 16th, while the dove season lasts through November 29th.

Carr says hunters will need to be prepared before they head for the field this weekend.

There’s also registration needed for HIP, or the Harvest Information Program. There’s no fee associated with HIP but hunters of migratory game birds are required to fill out the brief survey. Learn more at: www.iowadnr.gov.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic Varsity football team will host Glenwood this Friday night, Sept. 1st, for the 2023 football home opener!! Atlantic Community School District has designated Friday, September 1st as Military and Veterans Appreciation Night. ACSD invites all Veterans and active military members to attend the game at no cost that evening. During the halftime of the Varsity game, ACSD will honor local military veterans and active military members in attendance.

Veterans and active members will be invited to meet at the north end zone at the beginning of halftime.  After the conclusion of the ACSD Band’s halftime performance, military honorees will be escorted onto the field.  At that time Atlantic resident Mike Henningsen will do a flyover in his 1944 North American Aviation AT 6.  This aircraft was used as an advanced trainer for pilots in WWII.  After the flyover, ACSD Administrators will take a moment to invite all those in attendance to join us in honoring our local veterans and military members.

In preparation of ACSD’s Military and Veterans Appreciation Night, we invite all local businesses and residents to display American Flags at their place of business and their personal residence.

Please help the School District in letting all local Veterans and military members in the area know about this event and encourage them to attend the first home football game, free of charge. The public is invited to join the ACSD and its guests in attendance that evening, as we do their best to offer an honorable ‘Thank you!’

Utah State coach Blake Anderson says his team faces a difficult test at Iowa. Anderson begins his third season as head coach and the Aggies were 6-7 last season.

Anderson says handling the environment will be a key and a good start would help.

Anderson says Iowa’s success on defense begins up front.

Anderson says avoiding negative plays will be a key.

The Matt Rhule era at Nebraska begins Thursday night when the Huskers visit Minnesota. Nebraska is coming off a 4-8 record last season.

Rhule likes the attitude of the team heading into the season.

The Huskers have suffered six consecutive losing seasons.

CHICAGO Ill. – The Big Ten Conference and Big Ten Network today announced a new multi-year sponsorship agreement with DIRECTV, a U.S. leader in sports and entertainment, bringing fans behind the scenes of the nation’s most storied collegiate athletic conference.

In addition to the creation of unprecedented original content across football, men’s and women’s basketball, volleyball and more, DIRECTV will be a supporting partner of the Big Ten Conference’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as a presenting sponsor for at least one Big Ten Championship event in each year of the partnership.

Whether it is on the sideline, in the locker room, traveling with the team or joining practice, DIRECTV will bring fans a unique look at the action all year long. With an insider view of the Iowa Women’s Basketball team trip to Italy and Croatia, Volleyball Day in Nebraska, iconic football rivalries this fall and legendary basketball programs starting this winter, fans will have a deeper look at the Big Ten through the DIRECTV-B1G All-Access platform.

“DIRECTV will bring fans exclusive programming and behind-the-scenes content from the Big Ten Conference in partnership with the Big Ten Network, an experience so unique that fans will be on the edge of their seats year-round,” said Vince Torres, chief marketing officer of DIRECTV. “We’re honored to be a Sponsor of the Big Ten Conference, one of the most competitive conferences in all of college athletics to make this a reality for Big Ten fans everywhere.”

“We appreciate DIRECTV’s continued support for the Big Ten Conference,” said Big Ten Conference Commissioner Tony Petitti. “From highlighting our student-athletes in exclusive behind-the-scenes action across multiple sports to involvement with our championship events to support for our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, DIRECTV continues to deliver for our fans.”

“DIRECTV’s commitment to sports and entertainment has been apparent to Big Ten fans since DIRECTV helped launch our network in 2007, and we are looking forward to continuing our relationship by highlighting some of the best the Big Ten Conference has to offer,” said BTN President François McGillicuddy.

DIRECTV will also utilize a number of creative assets as an official partner of the Big Ten Conference, including inventory on the Big Ten Network’s linear and digital platforms, as well as signage at the Big Ten Football Championship game, Big Ten Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments and others.

All-Access content will be available on Big Ten Network’s X (formerly Twitter, @BigTenNetwork), Instagram (@BigTenNetwork), and Facebook, as well as DIRECTV’s X (formerly Twitter, @directv and @sportsondirectv), Instagram (@directv and @sportsondirectv), Facebook (@directv), and Tiktok (@directv).

Legends Global Partnerships, working in conjunction with DIRECTV, helped to negotiate the sponsorship agreement with the Big Ten Conference and Network.

Contacts: 

Pat Kenny

Big Ten Network

312-665-0713

pat.kenny@btn.com

Nick Ammazzalorso

DIRECTV

nicholas.ammazzalorso@directv.com

About DIRECTV

As a leader in sports and entertainment for almost 30 years, DIRECTV provides industry-leading content, service, and user satisfaction. By reimagining what is possible, DIRECTV’s mission is to aggregate, curate and deliver exceptional, innovative service to its customers. In 2023, DIRECTV elevated the customer experience by delivering Gemini, which can integrate customers’ content from their third-party platform subscriptions onto a single one-stop, digital experience. With DIRECTV, the sports season never ends, and customers are treated to broadcasts of several major sports, including the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and multiple domestic and international soccer leagues. DIRECTV provides customers the choice of watching sports, movies, and TV shows on their TVs at home or their favorite mobile devices via the DIRECTV app.

The Big Ten Conference (bigten.org) is an association of world-class universities whose member institutions share a common mission of research, graduate, professional and undergraduate teaching, and public service. Founded in 1896, the Big Ten Conference has sustained a comprehensive set of shared practices and policies that enforce the priority of academics in the lives of students competing in intercollegiate athletics and emphasize the value of integrity, fairness and competitiveness. The broad-based programs of the 14 Big Ten Conference institutions will provide over $200 million in direct financial support to more than 9,800 students for more than 11,000 participation opportunities on more than 350 teams in 42 different sports. The Big Ten Conference sponsors 28 official conference sports, 14 for men and 14 for women, including the addition of men’s ice hockey and men’s and women’s lacrosse since 2013.

About The Big Ten Network

A joint venture between the Big Ten Conference and Fox Networks, Big Ten Network is the first internationally distributed network dedicated to covering one of the premier collegiate conferences in the country. With more than 2,200 live events across all platforms, the 24/7 network is the ultimate destination for Big Ten fans and alumni across the country, allowing them to see their favorite teams, regardless of where they live. The Fox Sports App is the digital extension of the Big Ten Network, delivering live games and on-demand programming to Big Ten Network customers via the web, smartphones, and tablets. Network events include football, men’s and women’s basketball games, dozens of Big Ten Olympic sports and championship events, studio shows and classic games. With over 1,700 events annually, B1G+ is the subscription streaming service for thousands of live non-televised games, next day on-demand archives, 14 school channels programmed 24 hours a day and access to Big Ten Network’s library of previous season classics and original programming. Original programming highlights activities and accomplishments from some of the nation’s finest universities, including the Emmy-nominated The Journey. The network is carried by all the major video distributors across the United States and Canada, such as DIRECTV, DISH, Verizon Fios, Spectrum, Xfinity, Optimum, Cox Contour TV, Mediacom, Astound Broadband and approximately 300 additional video providers across North America. Big Ten Network is also available through the majority of streaming providers, including DIRECTV Stream, Fubo, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, Vidgo and YouTube TV. For additional information, please visit www.btn.com.

IOWA CITY, Iowa — For fans traveling to and from Kinnick Stadium this fall for football games, please be advised of the following road and traffic information.

With the season opener on Sept. 2 having an early 11 a.m. start time, coupled with parking changes and various road construction projects around campus, fans are encouraged to allow additional time in their commute to the game.

I-80/I-380 INTERCHANGE 

All ramps are open at the I-80/I-380 interchange. The multi-year project is nearing completion and fans are able to access all ramps in all directions beginning Sept. 1, in time for the season opener.

TRAFFIC/CONSTRUCTION: 1st AVENUE (CORALVILLE) 

Fans traveling to or from I-80 should avoid 1st Avenue (Coralville). The ongoing major construction at I-80 exit 242 will persist all season long. During this time, 1st Avenue will remain one lane in each direction over I-80. This has the potential to create significant delays both pregame and postgame. Signage will be placed along I-80 and on Highway 6 to discourage fans from using 1st Avenue.

Fans who need to access I-80 after football games from Kinnick Stadium surrounding parking lots are encouraged to continue straight through the Hawkins Drive/Hwy 6 intersection onto Rocky Shore Drive/Park Road, which ultimately connects to Dubuque Street (turn left to travel north approximately one mile to I-80). Alternatively, fans may access I-80 from Highway 6 via Coral Ridge Avenue.

TRAFFIC/CONSTRUCTION: SOUTH RIVERSIDE DRIVE/MYRTLE AVENUE (IOWA CITY) 

Traffic is expected to be reduced to two lanes (one lane in either direction) on South Riverside Drive just south of Myrtle Avenue for the season opener on Sept. 2. Fans are encouraged to use an alternate route to avoid delays. It is hopeful all four lanes on South Riverside Drive will be open for Iowa’s home game against Western Michigan on Sept. 16.

PARKING CHANGES 

• Lot 52/Hawkeye Ramp: Construction of the Hawkeye Ramp began this past summer with anticipated completion in 2025. For football games in 2023, Lot 52 (previously known as Lot 43N) will continue to provide limited parking for RVs (reserved) and ADA on gameday.

• Lot 40: Passenger vehicles, which previously parked in Lot 52, have been relocated to Lot 40. Over 350 passenger vehicles will be placed in this lot.
• Lot 73 (University Club Lot): Lot 73 has been expanded to accommodate RVs (reserved), many of which previously parked in Lot 40. Approximately 60 RVs will be placed in this lot.
• Lot 65 (Finkbine Commuter Lot): Lot 65 will only be available for passenger vehicles on football gameday.
• Lot 48 (Myrtle Lot): Myrtle lot has been expanded to accommodate fans displaced due to construction in Lot 14. The Myrtle Lot is no longer a public lot, and a permit will be required for entry on gameday.

PUBLIC PARKING 

• There are a limited number of pre-paid permits that remain available in Lot 65 (Finkbine Commuter).
• Day of game parking for $30 is available at the Finkbine Golf Course, Lower Finkbine and Softball lots.
• Day of game ADA parking for $30 will be available in Ramp 4. Vehicles must display a state issued ADA placard or license plate.
• Free parking is available at Lot 55 (Hancher Auditorium Lot) and Lot 85 (Hawkeye Commuter Lot). Parking is also available in Lot 11 (CRWC) at the University’s standard hourly rate.

Fans are encouraged to visit hawkeyesports.com/footballgameday for additional information on parking and traffic.