First Multicultural Fest unites UNI students
I wanted to bring people together and create a college experience we’ll look back on with pride.”
150th Class SPOTLIGHT
Tyler Schuur, member of Class 2025, finds creative outlet playing drums in Panther Marching Band
By Theo Trimble NI Staff Writer
Editors Note: UNI is marking its 150th anniversary this academic year. As the newspaper of record on campus, the Northern Iowan is showcasing a weekly feature profiling members of the sesquicentennial class.
Tyler Schuur is a current freshman and member of the 150th class. He is from Le Mars, Iowa, majoring in theatre production and design. Neither of his parents went to the University of Northern Iowa, but he had reasons for choosing UNI. “UNI just seemed like a great starting point for me and my career. It gave me many opportunities when it came to activities, clubs and work,” Schuur said. “Many of my friends were also going here and I knew a few faces around campus already, so I figured it was the best choice for me and my personal interests.”
Along with his involvement in TheatreUNI, Schuur has also been granted a spot in the Panther Marching Band, where he plays the bass line. “Marching band’s been really fun so far. It’s a lot of work, definitely, but it’s super worth it.”
In the past, he has played tenor line for his high school marching band,
but after sending in his audition to PMB, he was given a completely different section. “I’m not new to drumming in the slightest, but I was a bit surprised by this outcome,” he said. “Learning more about bassline has been extremely rewarding for my marching band experience.”
Schuur became excited when discussing what he enjoys about PMB, “I’ve made so many new friends in marching band, and the drumline director is incredible,” he said. “It’s been such an enlightening experience for me.”
Schuur also had very positive remarks about UNI as a whole. “Recently, I changed my major and switched out all of my classes, and all of the professors have been great so far. The food and people have been wonderful in my time here as well,” he said. “The main thing for my first few weeks was marching band camp, and that was a time that really helped me get used to everything on campus.”
DANIEL LISTO Student director of diversity for NISG
Courtesy photo Tyler Schuur plays bass line in Panther Marching Band.
Lily Munnik/Northern Iowan Joaquin Bobay performing at UNI Multicultural Fest.
News Editor
Rank leads UNI’s Center for Civic Education
By Jenna Westendorf Managing Editor
In the fall of 2024, the university announced the development of a new Center for Civic Education on UNI campus. The center aims to help students, faculty, and the community develop civic-minded skills and serve as a destination for civic education, research, and political literacy. After months of planning, the university recently hired Allison Rank as the new inaugural director of the center.
Rank joins the UNI community after serving as an associate professor and department chair in the Department of Politics at the State University of New York at Oswego. She has won several awards, including the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, a SUNY system-wide honor.
As the inaugural director, Rank has already begun establishing herself on campus. “I’m just getting to know the campus and the community,” stated Rank. “Knowing like, what do people want and need from the center.” Rank has spent her first few months on campus meeting with community members, faculty and staff, and students as they return to campus for the year. Rank hopes to continue meeting with members and leaders of the UNI and Cedar Valley community to learn what people want to see from the center.
opportunity for students to come together and talk about civic issues. We also hope to do more work with faculty who are interested in doing more with civic skills and civic education.”
in elections. With local elections coming up on November 4, Rank shared some tips for students. “I recommend heading to your county auditor’s website to make sure that you are registered [to vote], and checking to make sure that your address is correct.” From there, figure out your process for voting, whether that’s going in person to vote or requesting an absentee ballot. She said that websites like ballotready.com allows you to see where your polling place is located as well as who is running for each office and links to their campaign site.
Rank reminded students to read their local newspaper, even international students who may be ineligible to vote. “It is the best way to get to know a community that you’re living in, and to know what issues are important,” Rank said. “Local journalism is a great way to get insight into those issues and those local races. If you’re just paying attention to national news, the issues that matter for local elections are likely not talked about.”
Outside of her position, Rank enjoys going on runs and spending time with her pets. She is also an avid baker. “I will spend a lot of time finding out what the little bakeries are in a small town that everyone likes…and I will hunt those kinds of recommendations down and do day trips on the weekends to those kinds of spots.”
As the center continues to grow, Rank plans to begin bringing guest speakers to campus throughout the year promoting civic engagement. “We also hope to run what I refer to as civic salons,” Rank added. “This would be an
In addition to providing civic education across the state of Iowa, the center works in partnership with Panthers Vote to educate students about voting and increase student participation
For more information on voting in Iowa as a college student, students can go to https://sos. iowa.gov/college-student-voters and find more information on how to register to vote or request an absentee ballot.
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Courtesy photo Rank heads the Center for Civic Education.
First Multicultural Fest unites UNI students
By Lily Munnik News Editor
On Sept. 3, student organizations at the University of Northern Iowa came together at the Center for Multicultural Education (CME) to host the university’s first-ever Multicultural Fest.
“I wanted to bring people together and create a college experience we’ll look back on with pride,” said Daniel Listo, student director of diversity for Northern Iowa Student Government. “I also wanted to remind students, especially new ones, that the CME is a space for everyone.”
Located on the upper level of Maucker Union, the CME serves as a cen -
tral hub for students to connect, study and build community. “My goal is to help UNI become an even more welcoming and inclusive university,” Listo said.
The celebration featured cultural catering, live performances from DJ Extreme and Joaquin Bobay and interactive station and activities. “It was beautiful to witness everyone connecting and having a great time,” said Listo.
Looking ahead, Listo hopes to continue using his role in student government to support the campus community through volunteering, workshops and future events.
Involved in more than 11 organizations, Listo admits his schedule is packed, but he says the experience is worth it.
“Whether it’s giving back to the community, learning more about my studies or just trying something new, these orgs have helped me meet amazing people, make unforgettable memories and — most importantly — get free food!” he joked.
You can find a list of upcoming student events at https://eventschedule. uni.edu.
Construction on campus extends into fall semester
By Lily Munnik News Editor
As Panthers have returned to campus for the fall semester, several major construction projects that began over the summer are still underway and will continue to affect traffic, parking and pedestrian routes.
Phase two of the West 23rd Street reconstruction project has started after students moved in, focusing on the stretch between Indiana Street and the Student Health Center parking lot. That lot will remain closed for the entire fall semester, adding to limited parking options near the Towers Complex and other central campus areas.
Restoration of the Campanile continues, with the opening of the new Campanile Plaza expected later this fall.
Inside the UNI-Dome, fans will notice updates from the seating renovation project as Panther football season kicks off.
While summer road closures — including those impacting 23rd Street, Campbell Hall and Latham Field parking — have eased, signage remains posted to help students, staff and visitors navigate detours and closures. Facilities Management continues to provide updates and maps on its website at fm.uni.edu.
Despite the disruption, UNI emphasizes that events, classes and campus life will continue as planned, with accommodations in place to help minimize the impact of construction.
Lily Munnik/Northern Iowan Students dancing to music by DJ Extreme at UNI Multicultural Fest.
Courtesy Photo The Campanile Plaza is one of the structures under construction on campus.
Lily Munnik/Northern Iowan Students, Gabriela Meza and Lucy Alvarez at UNI Multicultural Fest.
N.I. EN ESPAÑOL
Esculturas artísticas en el campus: ¿Qué son y por qué estan aqui?
El campus de la University of Northern Iowa cuenta con varias estructuras destacadas, como el Wellness Recreation Center, el Redeker Center y el Curris Business Building. Pero, ¿qué hay de las estructuras frente a esas estructuras? Las esculturas artísticas que se encuentran dispersas por todo el campus llaman la atención por su singularidad. ¿Qué representa la escultura extraña con pesas ubicada frente al Wellness Recreation Center? ¿Por qué hay una escultura de tres figuras humanas apiladas frente al Redeker Center? ¿Qué significa ese monumento rojo frente al Curris Business Building? ¿Cuál es el propósito de estas obras artísticas tan particulares y por qué están aquí? “El arte como expresión es importante”, afirma Dan Perry, profesor y artista profesional en la University of Northern Iowa, quien guía a estudiantes en el desarrollo de su creatividad artística mediante la creación de esculturas, algunas de las cuales se encuentran en el campus. Además, Perry dirige el programa Public Art Incubator de UNI, el cual permite que artistas profesionales colaboren con estudiantes en proyectos por comisión, fortaleciendo sus habilidades artísticas y ampliando sus portafolios. “Como forma de expresión, es importante porque permite manifestar nuestra humanidad y observar el mundo para responder a él de manera libre”, comentó Perry. “Es una forma de provocar reflexión, generar conversación y añadir interés estético”. ¿A qué esculturas se refiere Perry? Muchas están justo frente a nuestros ojos. Por ejemplo, la escultura Stage Set for Film Number One se encuentra cerca del Wellness Recreation Center. Fue instalada en el año 2000 y creada por el reconocido artista Dennis Oppenheim. Representa una obra teatral. Aunque no formaba parte de su diseño original, UNI solicitó a Oppenheim que
añadiera pesas a los costados de la escultura. Esta obra generó bastante controversia. “La gente no la entendía”, señaló Perry. “No era inmediatamente llamativa. No era lo suficientemente abstracta, pero tenía elementos reconocibles que hacían que algunos dijeran ‘yo podría hacer eso’. Y sí, puede ser cierto, pero también refleja la visión del artista. Su enfoque era que todos los materiales fueran de origen local”. Una de las esculturas más populares se encuentra frente al Redeker Center. The Three Acrobats es una de las más antiguas del campus, creada en 1965 por Edmund Whiting. Originalmente fue elaborada en fibra de vidrio, un material novedoso en aquel entonces. Debido a su composición, ha sido
remodelada para conservarla. “Es de las más antiguas, pero también de las más queridas”, mencionó Perry. “Muchas personas le tienen un valor sentimental porque está muy cerca de las residencias estudiantiles”.
Otra escultura interesante se ubica frente al Curris Business Building. Se titula Balance/Unbalanced Beaks y fue creada por Fletcher Benton. Su estilo artístico es reconocido en varias universidades del país. Instalada en 1993, simboliza picos de aves en equilibrio. Debido a su color rojo, “requiere repintado frecuente”, según Perry. “El rojo tiende a desvanecerse rápidamente con el clima. Es una obra importante, ya que el artista es muy famoso y realmente enriquece nuestra colección en UNI”.
Aunque las esculturas artísticas tienen gran valor y generan memorias significativas para la comunidad universitaria, la legislación estatal no
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan
ha favorecido su permanencia en años recientes. Una ley anterior, titulada Art in State Buildings Program (AISB), proporcionaba los fondos para la mayoría de las esculturas y otras obras en el campus. Esta ley exigía que “las agencias y departamentos estatales reservaran la mitad del uno por ciento del costo total de los proyectos de construcción estatal para la adquisición de obras de arte en edificios públicos”. La legislación, vigente desde 1979, fue derogada en 2017 y eliminada oficialmente en 2019, a pesar de representar una fracción mínima del presupuesto estatal y ser la fuente de muchas esculturas icónicas en UNI.
“Picos
Escrito por Mason Cole The College Eye Newscast Traducido por Luis Alvarez Editora Espanol
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan
“El escenario para una película #1” creado por Dennis Oppenheim se instalo en 2000 y se encuentra al este del centro de recreation de UNI.
equilibrados/desequilibrados” fue esculpido por Fletcher Benton y aparecio en el campus de UNI durante 1993.
OPINION
Shining a light: September recognized as National Suicide Prevention Month
If you or someone you know is in need of mental health services, the suicide hotline at 988 is a free resource
take advantage of during their academic years. The best thing to support those who are struggling
By Ally Knight Staff Writer
September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide can be a hard thing to talk about, but it is a problem that should be addressed. Suicide is the second leading cause of death between the ages of 10 and 24. In 2023, over 49,000 people died from suicide, which amounts to one death every eleven minutes.
Many universities across the country have started free counseling programs for their students to be able to talk with professionals about issues they may face during academic years. Mental health issues can be caused and aided by stress, anxiety and many other factors. It’s important to use free resources provided by UNI to get the help you need –when you need it.
UNI provides counseling services Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and appointments are free –as students pay a health fee, which covers these services. There is a $25 no-show fee for students who miss or skip their appointments without rescheduling. Students are encouraged to download the TeleHealth student support app for free counseling sessions.
I asked Jennifer Jass, the
Director of UNI Counseling Services, what students can do to improve their mental health. She said, “Improving mental health is an ongoing journey, and no one feels 100% every single day. Struggles are part of growth, as you can’t build resilience without practicing it. A great place to start is by focusing on the basics. That’s why we offer our Thriving Minds workshop, which covers research-backed strategies for supporting your wellbeing.”
In 2020, the National Suicide Hotline Improvement Act was put into place, which changed the national suicide and mental health hotline to 988. When someone calls or texts 988, they are connected to a trained crisis counselor who will provide free and confidential emotional support to people who are in emotional distress.
Suicide is important to talk about – and everyone should be educated on it.
Any mention of suicidal thoughts should be taken seriously – some of the warning signs can include verbal mentions of wanting to end their lives, having no will to live, saying goodbye to people they love, giving away their belongings and acting more recklessly. Be observant, and pay attention to sudden mood changes in
your friends.
Recognizing and understanding warning signs is the first step toward suicide prevention. If you think someone you know may be suicidal, it is important to try your best to help them. This conversation can be very difficult to discuss –however, the few words you say could be life-saving.
Start by asking – it’s a simple task that can make a world of a difference. You can say, “I wanted to check
share about what is going on.
“It’s so important to talk about mental health because we all have it. Some days we feel great, and other days we struggle. Open conversations not only support our own well-being, but it reduces the stigma for others,” said Jass.
“I’ve seen more students becoming open about their struggles, which is encouraging because we can’t support each other if we don’t
Open conversations not only support our own wellbeing, but it reduces the stigma for others.
– Jennifer Jass Director of UNI Counseling Services
in with you because you haven’t seen yourself lately,” or, “I’ve noticed some differences, is everything okay?”
Asking these questions allows others to express how they feel – or makes them feel more comfortable to
know how someone is feeling. Sharing our experiences helps us feel less isolated, strengthens connections, and gives us space to build coping skills and resilience. Most importantly, talking about mental health can be
life-saving, as it is the first step in preventing a crisis” she said.
If you know someone who has lost their life to suicide, know it is not your fault. The person likely understood that you would have helped if you could – many are scared to admit to how bad they feel, and do not want to be a burden for their friends and family.
The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention is one of the largest organizations that works towards bringing attention to suicide prevention – and helping individuals who are struggling, as well as those impacted by suicide. AFSP started in 1987, and their mission is to “save lives, and help those affected by suicide.”
Suicide is a heavy topic, but it is necessary to talk about. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out – call 988 to talk to a mental health professional, go to the counseling center or talk to a friend.
This article is in memory of my cousin Justin Majors, who passed away from suicide in 2021 at the age of 23. He had the biggest heart and deeply cared for everyone. Even though Justin did not survive his silent battle – it doesn’t mean you can’t. Seek help from a person you trust. You are not alone.
Ally Knight/Northern Iowan
provided to anyone who calls. The University of Northern Iowa has counseling services that students can
mentally is to be there – it is important to support your friends who are in need of mental health services.
Meet the co-chairs of the UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration
By Anna Flanders From InsideUNI
The University of Northern Iowa is preparing to mark a major milestone — its sesquicentennial celebration, kicking off this fall and culminating during Homecoming 2026.
The UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration will honor the rich 150-year history of the institution while looking to the future and recognizing the vision for even greater things to come.
At the helm of planning efforts are Randy Pilkington and Cary Darrah, co-chairs of the UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration. Both have deep ties to university. Pilkington worked at the university for nearly 40 years, and recently retired as the executive director for Business and Community Services, while Darrah, a Cedar Falls native and community leader, has family and professional connections to UNI through her previous roles with Grow Cedar Valley and Community Main Street.
“It’s quite the legacy we’ve created here at UNI,” said Pilkington. “UNI has kept changing and adapting with the times and continues to have a very relevant impact for our state.”
“There are a lot of universities and schools and organizations that don’t last this long,” said Darrah. “With the changes happening in education and the workforce, UNI has recognized that if you don’t evolve, you get left behind.”
The UNI Sesquicentennial Celebration cannot be contained to one day or event. Rather, it will encompass many activities and events to engage students, staff, community members and alumni over more than a year. Just as the impact of UNI stretches throughout the state, so too will the celebration.
“There are a lot of existing things already on the calendar, ready to go, and we can in a very strong way make sure that 150 is all over that,” said Darrah.
Homecoming is the perfect example. The greater UNI community will experience two sesquicentennial-themed homecomings — one in 2025
after UNI’s 150th class has begun their studies and again in 2026 when UNI truly marks 150 years.
“I’m pretty excited about the grand finale: the buildup to the final homecoming during 150,” said Pilkington. “There will be a lot of enthusiasm on campus and beyond.”
The sesquicentennial celebration will create new traditions and build on existing ones. It will be a way to honor the legacy UNI has created while showing how UNI is evolving through innovation and embracing change. No matter how UNI is being celebrated, the institution’s commitment to the success of students past, present and future
will be evident.
In addition to the signature events, the sesquicentennial will be celebrated in other ways. Darrah is particularly excited about an effort to spotlight individuals and groups who have shaped or have been shaped by UNI.
“Those stories are going to be really, really powerful,” said Darrah.
While Pilkington believes it can sometimes be easy to take UNI’s longevity for granted, he hopes the sesquicentennial helps people — especially students — take notice of the caliber of their institution. This is especially meaningful to Pilkington, as he was a freshman in 1976 when UNI
was celebrating its centennial. At the time, he says he took the observance for granted, but it’s incredibly impactful to him all these years later.
“How do we have students understand the impact of 150 years now?” Pilkington asked. “How do we get this class starting in the fall to understand they’re the 150th class? That’s what we really need to be doing — instilling in our students a little bit of ‘wow’ factor and pride because they have the ability to say they went to an institution that’s been around for 150 years.”
As Pilkington and Darrah look ahead to UNI’s future, they predict the university doing what it has long been known for: meeting the needs of the Iowa workforce and evolving accordingly. They point to some of UNI’s newest programs in nursing and applied engineering as examples of how UNI does this in recent years.
“This university is a little more nimble than a lot of the other state universities when it comes to responding to workforce needs,” said Darrah. “A strength of this university has been our ability to feed the workforce as needed, both now and in the next several years.”
The entire Panther community is welcome to come along for the sesquicentennial journey, with more information being posted to 150.uni. edu as it becomes available.
Courtesy photo
Randy Pilkington is a UNI alum, UNI faculty member, and one of the co-chair members of the Sesquicentennial celebration.
Courtesy photo Cary Darrah, co-chair, is deeply rooted in UNI from working locally, with Grow Cedar Valley and Community Main Street.
Courtesy photo
Randy Pilkington and Cary Darrah, co-chairs of the Sesquicentennial celebration, point to UNI-themed custom license plates that say “UNI 150” and “150 YRS,” in honor of UNI’s history.
Art sculptures on campus: What are they, and why are they here?
By Mason Cole The College Eye Newscast
The University of Northern Iowa’s campus has many notable structures, including the Wellness Recreation Center, the Redeker Center, and the Curris Business Building. But what about the structures in front of the structures – the art sculptures that are found sprinkled across the campus? What is the strange sculpture with the weights on it outside of the Wellness Recreation Center? Why is there a sculpture of three different human beings on top of each other in front of the Redeker Center? What’s that strange red monument in front of the Curris Business Building? What is the purpose of these unique artistic feats and why are they here?
“Art as an expression is important,” Dan Perry, a professor and professional artist at the University of Northern Iowa, who helps teach students to express their artistic creativity through making art sculptures, some of which can be found on campus. Additionally, he runs the Public Art Incubator program for UNI. This program
allows professional artists to work on commissions with students, helping them both flex their artistic skills and continue to build a portfolio. “As an expression, it’s important because it is a way to express our humanity and how you can observe
of your face. For example, the sculpture “Stage Set for Film Number One,” is found in close proximity to the Wellness Recreation Center on campus. Installed in 2000 and created by famous artist Dennis Oppenheim, it is supposed to represent a
It’s a way of provoking thought, provoking conversation, but also adding aesthetic interest.
– Dan Perry Professor of Art at UNI
the world and respond to it in a free way,” Perry commented. “It’s a way of provoking thought, provoking conversation, but also adding aesthetic interest.”
What are some of the art sculptures that Perry is talking about? They are usually right in front
theatrical play. While not in his original image, UNI requested that Oppenheim add weights to the sides of the sculpture. The sculpture came with a lot of controversy. “People couldn’t read it,” Perry remarked, “It didn’t immediately jump out [at you]. It wasn’t
abstract enough, but there was enough recognizability in there that they’re like ‘well I could make that.’
Like yeah, that’s the case, but it’s also the vision of the artist. His thing was that everything [materials that made up the sculpture] was sourced locally.”
One of the more popular art figures can be found in front of the Redeker Center.
“The Three Acrobats” is one of the oldest sculptures on campus, dating back to 1965. Created by Edmund Whiting, was originally created out of fiberglass, which was a newer material at the time. Because of its material, it’s been remodeled in order to preserve it. “It’s one of the older ones, but one of the more popular ones,” Perry mentioned, “A lot of people have sentimental value to it because it’s so close to the dorms.”
Another intriguing art sculpture can be found in front of the Curris Business Building titled “Balance/ Unbalanced Beaks” by Fletcher Benton. Benton’s artwork is popular with multiple universities across the country, all boasting a similar style. Installed in 1993,
it is meant to symbolize balanced bird beaks. Due to its red color, “it gets a pretty regular repaint job” according to Perry. “Red tends to fade quickly in the elements. It is a pretty important artwork as the artist is so famous and it really contributes to our [UNI] collection.”
While the art sculptures serve great value and foster memories to many on campus, state law has not been in favor of these art sculptures in recent years. A former law titled “Art in state buildings program (AISB)” provided the funding for most of the sculptures and other artwork across campus. The law required “state agencies and departments to reserve one-half of 1 percent of the total cost of state construction projects for the acquisition of fine arts in state buildings.”
The law, in place since 1979, was repealed in 2017 and was officially removed in 2019, despite being such a small fraction of the taxpayers’ budget and the source of so many iconic sculptures on the UNI campus.
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan
“Balanced/Unbalanced Beaks” was sculpted by Fletcher Benton and appeared on UNI campus during 1993. This art piece was part of a series created by Benton.
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan
“Stage Set for a Film #1” created by Dennis Oppenheim was installed in 2000, and sits east of UNI’s recreation center.
COHEN HUISMAN
UNI students enjoy local goods at Cedar Falls Farmers Market
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan
Practical Farmers of Iowa is an organization dedicated to working with Iowan farmers, and providing the freshest of produce to shoppers. The group was set up at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market on Sat., Sept. 6.
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan
Cheerleaders took
day off
practice and attended UNI Day at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market. The athletes came dressed up in their signature cheerleading bows, along with UNI cheerleading zip-up jackets.
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan
Members of Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS) at UNI pose for a photo at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market. The group had a wheel of UNI-related questions for the public to spin, and CATS gave out prizes to those who answered correctly.
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan
Many vendors offer fresh garden produce for customers of the farmers market. Onions, cabbages, tomatoes and zucchini are just some of the produce sold during farmers market.
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan Fresh flowers are available for customers to purchase at the Farmers Market in Cedar Falls. They are special to those who enjoy a live flower bouquet on their dining room tables.
Maci Swanson/Northern Iowan
One of many offerings at the Cedar Falls Farmers Market includes dried flowers and herbs. There were plenty of new foods and unique shopping options for UNI students that attended the farmers market.
Caitlin Clark’s season ends in injury
By Carter Lust Sports Writer
Entering her sophomore year in the WNBA, the expectations for Caitlin Clark’s on-court performance remained astronomical. In her rookie season, Clark set seemingly countless records en route to becoming the league’s first unanimous Rookie of the Year and earning a spot on the All-WNBA First Team. Clark also received TIME’s Athlete of the Year and AP’s Female Athlete of the Year honors to cap off a historic 2024 campaign with the Indiana Fever and the University of Iowa.
Now with a full off-season behind her and a revamped Fever roster, the writing looked like it was on the wall for another historic season for Caitlin Clark. Indiana’s new additions of DeWanna Bonner, Natasha Howard, Sydney Coloson, and Sophie Cunningham appeared to be the right supporting cast to surround a generational talent like Clark with. Combined with the welcoming of 2023 WNBA Coach of the Year Stephanie White as Indiana’s new head coach, many began to agree that the retooled Fever were now title contenders. Clark also revealed that she spent the summer focusing on strength training to handle the league’s physicality, telling Women’s Health that her strength was “the number one thing I knew I needed to improve” upon heading into “the W’s” next season.
Which makes her string of
injuries that much more unfortunate.
After not missing a single game since her high school playing days at Dowling Catholic, Clark began tip-off in street clothes for the first time since 2017; a left leg sprain sidelined her for five games from May 28 to June 10. However, she quickly returned to the court on June 14 for a matchup against the defending champions, the New York Liberty. Clark exploded for 25 points in the first half of the contest, including draining three straight 3-pointers
in 38 seconds – two of which were beyond 30 feet away from the basket. Clark said postgame that her “legs felt really strong,” and she felt she was in “good shape.” It certainly appeared that way as she ended the afternoon with 32 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists to help the Fever hand the Liberty its first loss of the season.
Now, Clark and the Fever appeared to be on the come-up after a shaky start to the year. Sitting at 5-5, Indiana hosted the Connecticut Sun with a chance to return to an above
.500 record. In a physical outing with the Sun, Clark was poked in the eye and shoved to the ground before eventually helping the Fever secure the win, 88-71. Although Clark did not officially go down with an injury, the game represented the increased and often head-scratching physicality she and the rest of the Fever were receiving on a game-bygame basis.
On June 26, Clark did not participate in a game against the Los Angeles Sparks due to a previously sustained left groin strain. Many wondered if Clark was playing through the injury for some time, citing her concerning 1-23 downtown shooting slump over a three-game stretch. Nonetheless, Clark returned for a matchup against her former Iowa Hawkeye teammate Kate Martin and the Golden State Valkyries on July 9. After falling to the Valkryies, the Fever rattled off three wins in a row before another outing with the Sun on July 15.
With an Indiana win over Connecticut almost secured, Clark dropped a bounce pass to her teammate before grimacingly grabbing her right thigh. Visibly shaken up, she left the hardwood with a towel over her head as she fought back the tears.
It would be her last game of the season.
On Sept. 4, Clark made an announcement on her social media accounts stating, “I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season. I spent hours
in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn’t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling.”
With the 2025 WNBA regular season coming to a close, basketball fans and contemporaries hoped Clark would return for the playoffs. The Fever currently stand as the eighth overall seed in the playoffs, and have a date with the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx nearly secured for the first round – a narrative that almost feels like deja vu.
Indiana and Clark’s situation is strikingly similar to that of the Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan in 1986. After missing nearly the entire 1985-86 regular season due to a navicular bone fracture in his left foot, Jordan returned in the playoffs to try and lift his eighth-seed Bulls over the one-seed Boston Celtics. Although the Bulls lost the series, Jordan’s legendary 63-point performance in Game 2 remains a career-defining moment in his legacy. It seemed only fitting that Clark would have a similar opportunity as well.
Alas, Clark will have to wait another summer to write her next chapter on the hardwood, but her story is far from over. With women’s basketball continuing to reach new heights of engagement and popularity, Clark’s comeback will be on display to the whole world – something she is no stranger to.
COURTESY/HAWK CENTRAL Clark, one of the WNBA’s best players, was the 2024 Rookie of the Year.
UNI football outdueled by Cowboys
By Tyler Wood Sports Writer
The UNI Panthers traveled to Laramie, Wyoming, for their matchup against a tough Wyoming team. The Cowboys entered the game at 1-0, after winning a low-scoring contest against the Akron Zips. The Panthers also entered the game sitting at 1-0 after a 38-14 victory against the Butler Bulldogs.
The Cowboys’ opening drive was very quick and efficient. They opened up with quick passes and runs. A stop on third-and-10 forced a field goal attempt from Wyoming kicker Erik Sandvick, which ended up coming up short. The Panthers were able to capitalize off of this great field position, benefitting from a pass interference call on the Cowboys, putting the Panthers inside the Wyoming 20-yard line. After struggling to move the ball from that point, the Panthers’ field goal unit took the field, but the kick from Max Bartachek was no good. After the exchange of missed
field goals, the Cowboys were able to establish a good passing game. Running back Sam Scott was also stellar on their scoring drive. He broke for a few big carries and had an impressive 18-yard touch-
down run, where he had to dive for the right pylon in order to score. The PAT from Erik Sandvick was good, and the Cowboys went up 7-0 with 3 minutes left in the first quarter.
The Panthers tried to get things going offensively the next drive. A first down catch from receiver Tyson Kershaw was all that they could get, suffering a sack on third-andseven. Wyoming’s next drive was cut short after a sack from Owen Ostroski made it third-and-long and forced the Cowboys to punt. The Panthers had a good drive going after a throw to Graham Friedrichsen got UNI into Cowboy territory. Matthew Schecklman found Friedrichsen for another first-down reception a few plays later. After another pass interference call on the Cowboys, the Panthers were set up inside the 10-yard line. Running back Harrison BeyBuie was able to find the end zone to tie the game 7-7 with 7 minutes left in the second quarter.
After a game-tying score, the two teams had backand-forth punts. Wyoming’s offense finally was able to put some good drives together. After a big run from Terron Kellman and a nice bubble screen to Durr Jr., the
Cowboys were set up in the red zone. On second-and-goal, Anderson found tight end John Michael Gyllenborg for a 6-yard touchdown pass. The Cowboys were able to tack on another field goal before the break, after they blocked a punt and were set up with good field position.
The Panthers were unable to find the scoreboard the rest of the game. Wyoming’s defense was able to hold strong and pitch the second-half shutout. The Cowboys ended up getting in the end zone two more times. In the third quarter, Anderson found Chris Durr Jr. for a 21-yard touchdown. In the fourth quarter, Samuel Harris broke free for an 18-yard run. The final score of the game was 31-7. The Panthers fall to 1-1 on the season, and look to pick things back up again when they play Eastern Washington at home next week. That game will be played Sept. 13, and kickoff time is at 4 p.m.
NFL Week 1: touchdowns and takeaways
By Cohen Kamaus Sports Editor
After six long months of waiting, NFL fans were finally treated to a full slate of regular season games. From Thursday and Friday nights to a packed Sunday schedule capped by Monday Night Football, there was no shortage of action. Performances ranged from impressive to disappointing, and even downright ugly; looking at you, Miami Dolphins. Here are the main takeaways from Week 1 of the NFL season.
Aaron Rodgers is back
While he may not be 2021 Aaron Rodgers, it’s evident that the 41-year old can still sling it. Rodgers ended the day with 244 yards and four touchdowns through the air, leading the Steelers to a 34-32 win over his former team, the New York Jets. Rodgers has mentioned in the past him being upset about his end with the Jets, adding Sunday that he was “happy to beat everyone associated with the Jets.” Not only did Rodgers look great in his first start for Pittsburgh, other notable offseason additions such as DK Metcalf and Jalen Ramsey also contributed in big ways to lift the Terrible Towels over the top.
Daniel Jones gets Colts’ first Week 1 win since 2013
When it was announced that Daniel Jones had won the quarterback job over Anthony
Richardson during training camp, many expected the Colts to be an AFC South bottom feeder. Jones came out firing against the Dolphins, scoring on every offensive drive and cruising to a 33-8 victory. Jones threw for 272 yards and a touchdown, while adding another two scores on the ground. He became the first quarterback to throw for more than 250 yards and have two rushing touchdowns in his first game with a franchise. While Jones may not be the long term answer in Indianapolis, he certainly
showed why he deserved to win the job.
Jalen Hurts puts the defending champs on his back
The Philadelphia Eagles celebrated their Super Bowl LIX championship by kicking off the 2025 NFL season with a banner night. Both the Eagles and Cowboys came out firing offensively, exchanging touchdowns all first half. An hour-long weather delay slowed both the viewership and the scoring, but the Eagles were able to take advantage of some
COURTESY/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
key Cowboys mistakes to pick up the win. Jalen Hurts was magnificent, making smart decisions with his arm and dismantling the Cowboys on third down with his legs, including the nail in the coffin scramble at the end of the game. In a game where the Eagles weren’t at their best, Hurts was, leading them to a 1-0 start.
Allen bests Lamar in possible game of the year
If a full Sunday of football wasn’t enough, the Ravens and Bills delivered the potential game of the year
on Sunday Night Football. Derrick Henry was the star early, amassing 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Lamar Jackson was also brilliant, accounting for three touchdowns and leading the Ravens to scores on seven of their first eight possessions. But the storyline was Josh Allen and the Bills, who erased a 15-point deficit in just four minutes to win. The game appeared over after a fourth-and-2 pass was deflected by a Ravens defender, only to land in the hands of Bills receiver Keon Coleman. Allen said afterward he wasn’t mad about fans leaving early, adding, “Have some faith in us next time.” While it was only Week 1, the game could have massive implications come January.
The Green Bay Packers are legit
We all knew the Micah Parsons trade was going to help the Packers, but Sunday showed just how good their defense could be. The Packers held the Detroit Lions, the best offense a season ago, to just 13 points. Granted, the Lions lost both coordinators to head coaching jobs, but they never looked to really be in the game at all. Jordan Love and the offense seemed to click, leading many to believe the Packers have a real shot at making a deep run in the playoffs.
COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS
The Panthers look to bounce back this weekend vs Eastern Washington.
Josh Allen and the Bills overcame a 15-point fourth quarter deficit to beat the Ravens.
UNI battles at DoubleTree Invite
By Nicole Waters Sports Writer
The Panthers volleyball team opened the weekend against the Stony Brook Seawolves, in which the offense thrived as Lindsay Oldendorf paced the team with six kills in the first set. Maryn Boxby and Lily Dykstra each scored service aces to help boost UNI to the win as the team moved the ball well and cruised to victory 25-14 in a first-set win.
After overcoming a 3-0 deficit in the second, Northern Iowa answered with a 7-0 scoring run. Cassidy Hartman and Calia Clubb, as well as Bixby, kept the Panthers in it with early kills in the set. The Seawolves found themselves within two at 16-14 and 19-17, but UNI would go on to score the last four points of the set as Hartman scored double-digit kills and helped the team win set two, 25-18.
Set three saw the Panthers start out on a 7-2 scoring run thanks to kills from Bixby, Hartman, and Dykstra. Stony Brook would deal with attack errors as Northern Iowa would cap 17 kills in the set, scoring ten of the final 15 points as they eased their way to a 25-12 win to complete the three-set sweep.
Match two of the tournament saw the Panthers face the
The
No. 11 SMU Mustangs. UNI struggled against the Mustang defense in the first set before they found a steady pace. Nine attack errors and a high-powered SMU saw UNI only notch ten kills in the set. Jadyn Petersen and Dykstra both had aces as well as four kills from Dykstra, despite the Mustangs taking set one 25-19.
The second set saw the Panthers jump out to an early lead of 3-1 before the SMU offense found its groove and
went on a 6-0 scoring run, taking a 9-5 lead. Hartman and Dykstra each added four kills to their totals, but Northern Iowa continued to struggle with the Mustang blocking defense with nine team attack errors that resulted in a 25-16 set two loss.
Set three saw a back-andforth struggle between the two teams before the Mustangs took the reins and went on a 10-0 scoring run to take a 13-3 lead. The Panthers recorded
COURTESY/UNI ATHLETICS
nine kills but committed ten attack errors. Dykstra had three kills followed by two from Hartman and Isabelle Elliott, and Clubb in a 25-13 loss, splitting the first two matches of the weekend.
The final match of the weekend saw the Panthers square up against the Washington Huskies of the Big Ten. Finding themselves in an 11-4 deficit, UNI found its way back on a 5-0 scoring run thanks to three kills
from Clubb in the first set. An ace by Reese Booth on a 4-0 run closed the lead for the Huskies and tied the frame up at 14-14, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Washington defense. Bixby and Kate Shafer each tallied a block despite Northern Iowa dropping the first set, 25-21.
UNI put on a strong serving run in the second set to take an early 7-2 lead over the Huskies thanks to a pair of aces from Shafer. Petersen edged the Panthers 11-6 as she scored three aces in a row, while Bixby added a sixth ace to put the team up 16-13. Washington would make their way back with 12 team kills, while Northern Iowa would see ten attack errors despite 13 team kills. The Panthers took the Huskies to extra points but fell short in a 26-24 set three loss.
Set three saw UNI score four of the first five points as they maintained a steady lead until SMU tied it up at 12-12. Petersen tallied her fourth ace of the day, which helped the Panthers to a 5-0 scoring run to tie it at 20-20. Washington finished out the set by scoring five of the final seven points, with a final set score of 25-22. Northern Iowa finished the weekend going 1-2 and going to 2-3 on the season.
September sizzle: CFB coaching hot seat
By Michael Spahn Sports Editor Assistant
With college football in full swing, some fan bases have already had enough of their head coach. This may be built up from a previous season or a recent development that has taken place within the respective program. Here are some coaches who are on the hot seat early in the 2025 season.
Billy Napier, University of Florida
Gator Nation was already skeptical of Napier heading into the season, and losing to South Florida at home may have proven their point. After the loss, Napier’s record at Florida sits at 20-20, below the standard of the once threetime champions. His buyout currently sits at $19.38 million if fired after the 2025 season. Florida’s College Football Playoff hopes are on life support before even playing an SEC game. Napier and the Gators will need near flawless execution to save their season and his job.
Kirk Ferentz, University of Iowa
Ferentz is a legend in Iowa City, but with struggles offensively over the past handful of seasons, it may be
time for a change. In today’s college football, you need a high-powered offense to have any hopes of a national championship. The Hawkeyes’ offense had a rough game against a good Iowa State
team. Their defense kept them in the game, but holding the Cyclones to 16 points wasn’t enough. Iowa has been aggressive in the portal, trying to find an answer offensively via the quarterback position. In 2023, they brought in transfer quarterback Cade McNamara, who struggled with the Hawkeyes. The team brought in another transfer in South Dakota State’s Mark Gronowski, whom fans have a lot of hope for. It’s early in the season, but Gronowski has struggled early on. One can speculate that it may not entirely be the quarterback’s fault, but more of the coaching staff on hand. If the Hawkeyes can’t put it together, Ferentz could be out, and it may be time for a new voice in Iowa City.
Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State University Gundy has been a staple as head coach for Oklahoma State, but after 20 years at the helm, it may be time for a change. Gundy’s team is looking to bounce back in 2025 after a rough 3-9 season in 2024. Over the weekend,
the Cowboys took a brutal loss to the Oregon Ducks 69-3. With the surge of name, image, and likeness in college football, some older coaches have struggled to adapt. Before the Cowboys took on Oregon, Gundy made comments about Oregon spending a large amount of money on players to win. What Oregon is doing is legal and not cheating by any means. If Gundy and his program can’t adapt, it may be time to modernize. Kalen Deboer, University of Alabama I would call this a lukewarm seat for Coach DeBoer. The expectations at Alabama every season are through the roof ever since Coach Nick Saban left. The Crimson Tide went 9-4 last season, which for most programs is a fine record, but fans expect a top10 season every year. Coach DeBoer and Alabama started the season with a loss to a good Florida State team. It’s early in the season, but if the Crimson Tide misses the playoffs, there could be a change in Tuscaloosa.
Panthers record sits at 2-3 on the young season.
COURTESY/SPORTS ILLUSTRATED
Kirk Ferentz has won 205 games as the head coach of the Iowa Hawkeyes.
Across
1) Moth draw
6) Initials on Sputnik
10) Holds the deed on 14) Corporate department
15) Workplace oversight agcy.
16. Reporter's query
17) 1967 Robert Knight hit
20) 1948-49 Berlin event
21) Opposes
22) Charged swimmer?
23) Soccer star Mia
24) Word with tiger or water
27) Hiroshima's river
29) Sackcloth companion
33) Vladimir Nabokov novel
34) "Who's the Boss?" star
36) Carnegie and Radio City Music
38) Mechanical impossibility
41. Multivolume tales
42) Blink of an eye
43) Lead-in for light or night
44) Like a rock
46) Bit of Morse code
47) Medical advice, often
48) Deteriorates
50) Dined in or out
52) Man from Acre
56) Put into office
60) What go-getters seem to have
62) Satie or Estrada
63) Kind of rug
64) Traditional truism
65) Lawless role
66) Alphabetical run
67) Some interoffice mail
Down
1) Biting insect 2) Strauss of denim fame 3) "Happy Days Are Here Again" composer 4) Reggae legend Bob 5) "Dallas" matriarch
6) Part of a profit calculation
7) K.C. time zone
8) Fancy dinnerware
9) Independence declarer, November 3, 1903 10) Birds that may be spotted 11) "Stop, Silver!"
12) Sailor's employer
13) Canonized femmes, for short 18) Waterborne 19) Sneaker
23) Golfers' obstacles
24) Drinks like a cat
25) "Don't get any funny ___!"
26) "Key ___" (Bogart film)
28) Fastening item
30) Tip from a gentleman?
31) Oligarchy
32) Taps on the brakes
34) Prayed for 35) Inter ___ (among others)
37) Irritated condition
39) Crony
40) Sitcom role for Borgnine
45) Word with sand or bottom
47) Go back, as a hairline
49) Layers
51) Time for a coffee break, maybe 52) Surefooted goat
53) Like some losers
54) Wrack partner
55) Singer/songwriter Paul
56) Genesis twin
57) Rail transport
58) Waffle brand
59) Turns red, maybe 61) It may follow a wash
SUDOKU ANSWERS
