Athletics Stories & News

NBA coach and UNI alum Nick Nurse

NBA coach Nick Nurse, a UNI alum, headlines Sunday virtual event

The University of Northern Iowa, in partnership with the University of Iowa, will host a virtual conversation Sunday with NBA coach Nick Nurse, a UNI Hall of Fame basketball star who led his Toronto Raptors to a 2019 championship.  

Nurse will discuss his rural Iowa upbringing, how he transitioned to find success throughout his career and the use of data analytics to drive decisions in the NBA. Iowa women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder, a UNI women's basketball standout and UNI Hall of Famer will host the virtual event from 2-3 p.m. April 25.

Nick Nurse

UNI to host virtual conversation with NBA championship coach Nick Nurse

The University of Northern Iowa, in partnership with the University of Iowa, will host a virtual conversation Friday with NBA coach Nick Nurse, a UNI Hall of Fame basketball star who led his Toronto Raptors to a 2019 championship.  

Nurse will discuss his rural Iowa upbringing, how he transitioned to find success throughout his career and the use of data analytics to drive decisions in the NBA. Iowa women's basketball coach Lisa Bluder, a UNI women's basketball standout and UNI Hall of Famer will host the virtual event from 2-3 p.m. April 25.

UNI Athletic Director David Harris

UNI's David Harris named an Athletics Director of the Year

UNI Director of Athletics David Harris has been named an Athletics Director of the Year for 2020-21 by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

Harris is in his fifth year leading the departments and is one of four FCS Directors of Athletics to earn the ADOY honor for 2020-21. The other honorees are Wofford’s Richard Johnson, Princeton’s Mollie Marcoux Samaan and fellow Valley Football AD David Herbster from South Dakota.

UNI Athletics Director David Harris

UNI's David Harris named an Athletics Director of the Year

UNI Director of Athletics David Harris has been named an Athletics Director of the Year for 2020-21 by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

UNI football coach Mark Farley

Panthers win big

While many things were unusual about the past year in sports, UNI’s tradition of excellence on and off the playing field remains unchanged. 

UNI alum Jake Manternach

From UNI to the Super Bowl: Graphic design alum making his mark with NFL team

When Jake Manternach arrived at the University of Northern Iowa as a transfer student in 2015, he wasn’t aware that his current position as a graphic designer for the Super Bowl-bound Tampa Bay Buccaneers even existed.

UNI alum Kurt Warner

Cast set as remarkable journey of UNI alum Kurt Warner moves closer to silver screen

The remarkable underdog story of Kurt Warner’s journey from a backup quarterback on the University of Northern Iowa football team to an NFL Hall of Famer is set to hit the silver screen.

UNI athlete Jessica Heims.

Local donor supports UNI athlete on her Paralympic journey

Every four years, thousands of athletes from across the globe gather for the Olympics and Paralympics. This year, the games are slated to be held in Tokyo and UNI Track and Field athlete Jessica Heims is on pace to compete as a member of the US Paralympic Team. With the help of local donor Dan Deery, her family won't miss the opportunity to watch her compete. 

UNI campus

UNI’s outdoor football practice facility receives $2 million gift

UNI NEWS SERVICES – A $2 million gift from Doug and Ann Goschke, residents of Port St. Lucie, Florida, has set the stage to make outdoor artificial turf a reality for the University of Northern Iowa football program.

UNI alumnus Ryan Hannam

A new beginning

Ryan Hannam was living the dream of any Iowa high school football star - playing in the NFL after a successful college football career at the University of Northern Iowa.