John joined the Hawkeye family in January 2014. He currently serves as the Assistant Athletics Director - Academics, where he oversees the tutoring and academic support services provided to University of Iowa student-athletes. Additionally, he is the Academic Coordinator for the women’s basketball program and shares advising responsibilities for the football and men's basketball programs. John has spent twelve years working in academic services (University of Iowa, Northern Illinois University and Southern Illinois University). Prior to his career in academics, John worked as television sports reporter/anchor, color commentator for a minor league baseball team and as a counselor/therapist in both a non-profit organization and a juvenile detention center serving at-risk youth in his hometown of Chicago. FUN FACTS: Family: Wife (Maria), sons Leo and Isaiah and two English Bulldogs (Snoop and Isabel) Hobbies: playing pool, card games and watching sports Favorite Sports teams: Chicago Bears, Blackhawks and Cubbies and LA Lakers Plans for retirement: You can send John a postcard in Italy, where he can be found riding his own gondola throughout the Venetian canals and eating cannoli's! 

I was once a first-generation college student know how hard it is. You don't know where to go for certain things. You don't know who to turn to for guidance. You feel alone. I want to make myself available for other first-gen students so that they have the support they need to live out their dreams and achieve their goals.