This week on Fight for Iowa, Gary Dolphin catches up with former Hawkeye point guard Bennett Stirtz as he begins his NBA journey with the Oklahoma City Thunder. Stirtz discusses life as a first-round draft pick, the whirlwind of draft night, adjusting to the professional game, and his standout performances in NBA Summer League. He also shares what he's focused on as he prepares for training camp and what it means to represent Iowa at the next level. Plus, Dolphin looks at the growing Hawkeye presence in Oklahoma City, where Stirtz is joined by former Iowa standouts Payton Sandfort and Josh Dix as they chase NBA roster spots with the Thunder.

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This week on Fight for Iowa, Gary Dolphin sits down with new Iowa running backs coach Jay Norvell. A Hawkeye All-American, 1985 team MVP, and one of the most experienced coaches in college football, Norvell shares the journey that brought him back to Iowa City more than 40 years after arriving as a player alongside Kirk Ferentz. He discusses why returning to his alma mater was the right move, the transition from offensive analyst to running backs coach, and the opportunity to mentor a talented Hawkeye backfield led by Kamari Moulton. Norvell also reflects on his playing days under Hayden Fry, his years as a head coach, and his excitement for the future of Iowa Football as the Hawkeyes prepare to open the 2026 season at Kinnick Stadium.

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This week on the Fight for Iowa podcast, Gary Dolphin takes you to Okoboji for the Boji Legends Golf Tournament, where Hawkeye greats reunited to support two incredible causes.

Chuck Long reflects on the impact of giving back, the friendships that continue decades after Iowa's unforgettable 1985 Big Ten championship season, and why supporting children with disabilities remains one of his life's greatest passions.

Former Hawkeye offensive lineman Kelly O'Brien looks back on blocking for one of the greatest offenses in Iowa football history and explains why these annual reunions are a true "fountain of youth."

Former Iowa basketball standout Zach McCabe discusses the lifelong relationships built during his Hawkeye career, the lessons he carried into the business world, and life after basketball as a successful entrepreneur.

Happy Fourth of July, and thank you for listening to the Fight for Iowa podcast. Go Hawks!

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This week on the Fight for Iowa Podcast, Gary Dolphin highlights a memorable finish to the Hawkeyes' track and field season at the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon. Iowa qualified in nine events and brought home multiple All-America performances, led by junior thrower Ryan Johnson, who earned First Team All-America honors for the second consecutive year with a third-place finish in the hammer throw after capturing the NCAA indoor weight throw title earlier this season.

Johnson joins the podcast to discuss his championship season, the family atmosphere within the program, and the impact of Head Coach Joey Woody and Associate Head Coach Ray Robinson on his development.

Dolph also recaps historic performances from Iowa's men's and women's 4x400-meter relay teams. The women's quartet of Alivia Williams, Damaris Mutunga, Princess Uche and Chioma Nwachukwu shattered the school record on their way to a fifth-place All-America finish, while the men's team of David Akhalu, Zidane Brown, Tyrese Miller and Landon Fontenot raced from the 19th seed to a remarkable fifth-place finish with a season-best time.

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The Hawkeyes have added three talented transfers to help fuel the next chapter of Iowa Women's Basketball, and two of them join this week's Fight for Iowa Podcast.

Former Georgia standout Dani Carnegie and veteran defender Amari Whiting discuss what led them to Iowa, their first impressions of Iowa City, and why playing for Jan Jensen made the Hawkeyes the right fit.

Carnegie, a First Team All-SEC selection who averaged 18 points per game last season, reunites with former Georgia teammate Chit-Chat Wright and brings a dynamic scoring presence to Iowa's backcourt. Whiting arrives with a reputation as a fearless defender and high-IQ player after stops at Oklahoma State and BYU.

The pair share their early experiences on campus, expectations for the upcoming season, and excitement about playing in front of the passionate fans at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

Plus, a look at Iowa's third transfer addition, former Georgia Bulldog Jocelyn Faison, as the Hawkeyes continue building a roster ready to compete in the Big Ten.

Listen as the newest Hawkeyes begin their journey in black and gold.

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Summer conditioning is underway in Iowa City, and for head coach Kirk Ferentz, the next four weeks may be among the most important of the offseason. After losing nearly 30 players to graduation, the NFL and the transfer portal, the Hawkeyes have welcomed an equally large incoming class of freshmen and transfers as Ferentz navigates the realities of college football's year-round roster management era.

This week on Fight for Iowa, Ferentz discusses the challenges and opportunities that come with rebuilding a roster, how the expanded calendar has changed player development, and why much of the groundwork for the 2026 season is already being laid before fall camp even begins.

We also catch up with All-Big Ten safety Zach Lutmer. The Rock Rapids native returns after a standout junior season that included 70 tackles, three interceptions, a touchdown return, a sack and a fumble recovery. Lutmer helped lead a Hawkeye defense that finished among the nation's best and now steps into an even larger leadership role following the departures of Xavier Nwankpa and Koen Entringer.

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This week on the Fight for Iowa podcast, we step onto the track with one of the most recognizable voices in the sport — legendary track and field announcer Mike Jay. From the Iowa High School State Track & Field Championships to the Drake Relays, NCAA Championships and Olympic Trials, Jay’s voice has become synonymous with some of the sport’s biggest moments.

A Columbus Junction native, Jay has spent decades around the sport as a runner, coach and elite announcer, earning national recognition in 2014 as the Track & Field Writers of America’s top track announcer. But beyond the microphone, Jay’s passion is rooted in the athletes, families and communities that make track and field special.

In this episode, Jay shares stories from a lifetime in the sport, what makes Iowa track unique, and how he’s continuing to give back through the Track Guy Foundation.

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With a roster reshaped by NFL departures, graduation and the transfer portal, the 2026 Hawkeye football team enters a new era with plenty of opportunity across all three phases of the game. This week on Fight for Iowa, head coach Kirk Ferentz discusses the importance of integrating nearly 30 new players into the program as Iowa prepares for summer workouts and the start of another demanding Big Ten season.

We take a closer look at the Hawkeyes’ defensive rebuild, where longtime defensive line coach Kelvin Bell is tasked with developing the next wave of talent up front following the departures of Aaron Graves, Max Llewellyn and Ethan Hurkett. Bell shares his thoughts on the progress made during spring practice and the mentality of Iowa’s young defensive front.

Linebacker Jayden Montgomery reflects on stepping into a larger leadership role after learning from Hawkeye greats like Jay Higgins, while rising sophomore Cam Buffington talks about the growth of Iowa’s young linebacker group and the culture that continues to produce standout defenders.

Plus, All-Big Ten defensive back Zach Lutmer discusses his breakout season, the possibility of handling kick return duties this fall, and the excitement building for a September packed with games at Kinnick Stadium.

It’s another inside look at the players and coaches shaping the future of Iowa football — this week on Fight for Iowa.

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