IOWA CITY – Beth Goetz has been named the University of Iowa’s next Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair after serving in the role as interim since Aug. 2.
She will begin immediately.
“Beth is a talented and dynamic leader and the national search we conducted has substantiated that she is the best athletics director for the University of Iowa,” says UI President Barbara Wilson. “She has done a remarkable job as interim, and I am confident she will lead our athletics department and student-athletes to new levels of achievement both on the field of play and in the classroom.”
Goetz becomes UI’s 13th athletics director, and first female to oversee the entire department (Dr. Christine Grant served as the women’s athletics director from 1973-2000).
The university launched a national search at the end of November 2023. The search committee was chaired by Nicole Grosland, associate dean for academic programs in the College of Engineering and professor of biomedical engineering, as chair of the search committee.
“The search produced an impressive group of candidates,” says Grosland. “The committee had an opportunity to interview multiple sitting athletic directors from across the country. Beth emerged as a finalist with a strong vision to lead the department at this crucial time.”
Goetz, who becomes UI’s 13th athletics director, joined the Iowa athletics staff in September 2022 as deputy director of athletics and chief operating officer. When former director Gary Barta retired on Aug. 1 after 17 years at the university, Goetz was named interim director.
Before coming to Iowa, Goetz served as director of athletics at Ball State University for four years. At Ball State, she supervised 19 Division I sports teams, all head coaches, and senior staff. Before that, she served as the chief operating officer/senior woman administrator in the University of Connecticut athletics department from 2016-18. She previously served as the University of Minnesota’s deputy athletics director from 2013-15 and interim athletics director during the 2015-16 season.
Goetz was named to the NCAA Competition Oversight Committee in 2018 and served as vice chair of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee in 2021-22. She was named by Women Leaders in College Sports as the 2022 NCAA Division I FBS Nike Executive of the Year and recognized by the Indianapolis Business Journal as one of the publication’s 2021 Women of Influence.
A former soccer student-athlete and college coach, she received a Bachelor of Arts from Clemson University in 1996 and a master’s degree from the University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2000.
“I am truly honored and humbled to lead Iowa’s storied athletics program, and I am grateful to President Wilson and the search committee for their confidence in my leadership,” says Goetz. “The University of Iowa is a world-class institution with a demonstrated commitment to athletics excellence, and I look forward to continuing to partner with our coaches and staff in support of all our student-athletes. It is a privilege to serve our campus and our passionate Hawkeye supporters.”
Goetz’s appointment must be approved by the Iowa Board of Regents.
“This is a great day for Iowa Athletics! Beth is a talented and experienced administrator with strong leadership skills. She has a proven track record of success everywhere she has been. Beth is the perfect choice to lead us into the new Big Ten and will be a strong voice for Hawkeye athletics nationwide. I am happy and excited for Beth, and believe President Wilson made an outstanding decision.”
Rick Heller – Baseball
“I am so excited for the future of the department and our program. Beth has been a tremendous asset to the university since she stepped foot on campus and I am thrilled she will continue to lead the Iowa Department of Athletics. I have had the opportunity to work closely with Beth and that experience and her vision for the department has been impressive. The ability to work closely with her helps our program immensely.”
Fran McCaffery – Men’s Basketball
“President Wilson hit a home run with the choice of Beth Goetz to lead our Department of Athletics. Beth is a unifying leader who communicates and listens with great effectiveness. Beth is the right person to lead our department into this ever-changing athletic landscape.”
Lisa Bluder – Women’s Basketball
“I am thrilled that Beth Goetz has been named Director of Athletics. She is absolutely one of the best administrators I have had the opportunity to work with. Beth is a championship communicator, and fantastic problem-solver; most importantly she operates with the highest integrity. I so appreciate her dedication to collaboration and the effort she makes to have a presence within our program. In this critical moment in college athletics, we are fortunate to have an incredible leader guiding us forward. It will be an absolute honor to work for her and I know the Hawks will continue to rise to new heights under Beth’s leadership. It’s a great day to be a Hawkeye!
Lisa Cellucci – Field Hockey
“I am pleased that Beth has been officially hired as our university’s newest director of athletics. Since arriving at the University of Iowa, Beth has shown a tremendous dedication to the university and a passion for our student-athletes. She has a vision that is respectful of the traditions of our athletics programs while embracing opportunities in the rapidly changing college sports landscape. Beth is highly professional, and I believe is well-equipped to navigate this new era of collegiate sports.”
Kirk Ferentz – Football
“Beth is an excellent leader and a perfect fit for the University of Iowa. Her wealth of experience will help guide our programs into the new era of college athletics. It is a great day for Hawkeye student-athletes, staff, and fans.”
Tyler Stith – Men’s Golf
“In the short period that Beth has been on campus, it has been exciting to see her impact on our staff and student-athletes. She has brought great energy, communication, and has worked quickly to unite our department. The women’s golf team is excited to have her as our leader. Go Hawks!”
Megan Menzel – Women’s Golf
“We are ecstatic that Beth Goetz has been named Iowa’s newest Director of Athletics. Throughout her short time, she has hit the ground running making sure she is a strong representative of the roots of Iowa’s culture, while simultaneously establishing her own vision of Iowa Athletics within a new era of NCAA sports where the interest in women’s sports is at an all-time high. Her role as one of very few female Director of Athletics at the Division I level is pivotal, and she has wasted no time in making herself visible and accessible to all of us at Iowa. We look forward to following her lead as she brings our university both academically and athletically to the next level.”
Larissa Libby – Women’s Gymnastics
“Today is a great day to be a Hawkeye! I am thrilled to have Beth leading us into the future. She is a passionate, dedicated, and inspirational leader that brings out the best in everyone. With the ever-changing landscape of college athletics, the University of Iowa is in good hands.”
Jeff Garbutt – Rowing
“Good leaders are hard to find, but great leaders are almost impossible. Beth is a great leader, a leader who empowers people to be confident, forward-thinking, and think outside of the box. Her leadership ability can be best described as supportive, transparent, and energetic. There are great years ahead for all of us at University of Iowa Athletics and in Hawkeye Nation.”
Dave Diianni – Women’s Soccer
“Beth has shown great leadership and vision this past year. She has been listening and responding to difficult issues while guiding the staff through an ever-changing environment in the NCAA. She has been a guiding force for the athletics department and an incredible liaison to the university. We look forward to having her full-time to help navigate a new era for Iowa Athletics.”
Renee Gillispie – Softball
“The swimming & diving program is elated that Beth Goetz will be the Director of Athletics at the University of Iowa going forward. Our student-athletes, coaches, and staff are excited to have Beth leading this department into the future. Go Hawks!”
Nathan Mundt – Women’s Swimming & Diving
“I have no doubt that in Beth Goetz we have the transformational leader Iowa Athletics needs to succeed and thrive at the highest levels of collegiate athletics. I am proud to be a Hawkeye under Beth’s leadership where she sets the highest example for integrity, intelligence, communication, vision, and success. We absolutely hit the jackpot on our new Director of Athletics. We have an exciting future ahead of us in Hawkeye Athletics!”
Sasha Schmid – Women’s Tennis
“I am excited to welcome Beth as our new Director of Athletics! In a short amount of time, she has shown great leadership and an unwavering commitment and support of our track and field and XC athletes and staff. Beth has tremendous passion for the University of Iowa and the Hawkeyes. She brings exceptional experience from many levels of collegiate athletics, and I trust that she will lead our programs through this new Big Ten and NCAA landscape.”
Joey Woody – Track & Field/XC
“Iowa has a new leader that everyone can be very proud of. Beth has the respect of every coach in the department because she is a strong leader, a thoughtful listener, and a difference maker that gets things done. Hawkeye student-athletes are in great hands.”
Jim Barnes – Volleyball
“Beth Goetz earned her way into the business by not making it about business. She is about the right things. The Hawks got the best.”
Tom Brands – Men’s Wrestling
“There is no better person to lead Iowa Athletics. Beth brings great energy and shows her support to all programs. Her leadership as an interim AD has made great and positive impact as she navigated through various situations. She has taken the time to gain an understanding of our program and our sport. We couldn’t be more excited for her continued leadership. Congratulations, Beth!”
Clarissa Chun – Women’s Wrestling