This month on Talkin’ Hawks, Laura and Matt catch up on the latest Hawkeye news, including preseason football honors, the Micah Hyde Charity Golf Classic, upcoming Iowa basketball matchups and the game-day themes fans need to know before football season begins.

Then, Marion native and former Iowa Dance Team member Kennedy Ruff joins the show to share how an 11-year-old Cowboys fan turned a childhood dream into reality. Kennedy opens up about growing up in competitive dance, performing for the Hawkeyes, getting cut during her first Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders audition and returning with the confidence and determination needed to finally earn her boots and stars.

Kennedy also takes us behind the scenes of life as a Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader—from the demanding audition and training camp process to Netflix cameras, uniform fittings, performing “Thunderstruck” at AT&T Stadium, dancing with Post Malone and inspiring young dancers across the country. It’s a conversation about resilience, self-belief and what it takes to represent Iowa on one of the biggest stages in professional sports.

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In this episode of Talkin’ Hawks with the VandeBergs, Matt and Laura welcome Iowa gymnast Sophie Schriever to the studio for the show’s first-ever gymnastics episode. Sophie shares what brought her from Sandy, Utah to Iowa City, how she fell in love with gymnastics at a young age, and what it took to grow into a five-star recruit and Hawkeye all-arounder.

Sophie opens up about the intense commitment behind elite gymnastics, including early mornings, long training days, injuries, setbacks, and the year away from the sport that nearly made her walk away for good. She also walks through the recruiting process, the moment she earned her first scholarship offer, and why her relationship with Coach Jen Llewellyn played such a big role in her path to Iowa.

The conversation also dives into the world of college gymnastics—from scoring, beam mounts, floor routines, and “staying in the nest,” to Sophie’s leadership mindset as a freshman and the energy this Iowa team is building together. Whether you're a longtime gymnastics fan or just learning the sport, this episode offers a fun, honest, and inspiring look at one of Iowa Gymnastics’ rising stars.

Tune in for behind-the-scenes stories, plenty of laughs, and a new appreciation for what it takes to compete in the black and gold.

In this episode of Talkin’ Hawks with the VandeBergs, Matt and Laura sit down with Mark Gronowski for an in-depth conversation on his transition into the Iowa Hawkeyes program and what fans can expect heading into the 2026 college football season.

Fresh off spring practices, Gronowski breaks down how he’s adjusting to Iowa’s system, building chemistry with new teammates, and stepping into a leadership role at quarterback. The discussion dives into his football journey, the mindset that’s helped him succeed at a high level, and what it means to now wear the black and gold inside one of the most tradition-rich programs in college football.

Matt and Laura also unpack key takeaways from Iowa’s spring camp, including offensive development, locker room culture, and how this team is shaping up ahead of fall. With insight into preparation, expectations, and the competitive edge Gronowski brings, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the Hawkeyes’ quarterback room and the direction of the program.

If you’re an Iowa fan or follow college football closely, this is a must-listen conversation as the Hawkeyes gear up for a pivotal season.

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