Steppe: I’m entering the sports writer transfer portal with plenty of gratitude for Iowa

IOWA CITY — Almost exactly six years ago on a similarly warm summer day, my goal was to soak in as much information as I could.

Marc Morehouse let me — a Gazette intern at the time — tag along for an Iowa football media availability. More importantly, it was bookended with an abundance of wisdom from someone on the drive to/from the newsroom who owned the Iowa football beat for decades.

Little did I realize that it was the precursor of such a rewarding chapter of my professional career as the Iowa football beat writer myself at The Gazette — a chapter that now comes to a close.

I have accepted a position covering Wisconsin Badgers athletics for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. It was going to take a truly special opportunity to leave here, and that moment has arrived as I return to my home state and join another much-admired sports staff that can help me grow in new ways.

My four years in Iowa City (or five-plus years if you count my time as a business reporter before moving over to the Hawkeye beat) were packed with so many memorable and unique things to cover.

Two Big Ten football championship games. Two Final Four runs. A once-in-a-generation women’s basketball star who captivated worldwide attention. A paradigm shift in how college athletes are compensated. The infamous (and frankly bizarre) Drive to 325. What else could a 20-something-year-old beat writer ask for?

I became pretty good at typing while keeping confetti off my keyboard, too, after covering Iowa women’s basketball’s Big Ten tournament titles in 2022 and 2023.

Most of all, though, I am so grateful the opportunity and the trust to tell so many people’s incredible stories here.

I loved writing about field hockey coach Lisa Cellucci’s nephew Peter and how his fight with brain cancer inspired Cellucci’s team. (Peter is doing great now, by the way, and enjoying life as he celebrates his 12th birthday later this month.)

I loved writing about Beth Goetz’s path to becoming the interim-and-then-permanent athletics director ahead of an impressive first couple years on the job. I loved writing about the impact of Mary Ferentz’s Iowa Ladies Football Academy on the women who participated, the UI Stead Family Children’s Hospital and Ferentz herself.

I loved writing about so many Iowa football players’ stories. It’s a long list.

As I head north, I have an ask for our readers — join me in continuing to read and support The Gazette. It’s easy to take what we have here for granted, but we really cannot afford to do that in 2025.

Good luck finding someone who works harder and is more dedicated to their craft than Jeff Linder. Jeff Johnson brings such great versatility to The Gazette’s sports staff, all while being one of the kindest co-workers you’ll find. K.J. Pilcher has a knowledge of wrestling and level of respect around the sport that truly elevates our coverage.

Sam Paxton and Ryan Suchomel do not get nearly enough credit for how they produce a top-notch print product (or Green Gazette product) every day, and our visuals staff has so often complemented my written reporting with stellar photojournalism.

Then of course there’s my partner on Iowa football coverage, Mike Hlas. Cherish every one of his columns. He’s one of one, as the kids say. I also owe the boss, sports editor J.R. Ogden, a big thank you for giving me this incredible opportunity.

I’ll miss the rest of the Iowa beat reporters, too. Yes, we’re competitors. But more often than you see on social media or newsprint, we’re friends. I’m excited for the press box reunion on Oct. 11.

To every reader who read and supported my work, thank you. To every source who trusted me to tell their story, thank you. To every colleague who made this job as enjoyable as it's been, thank you.

OK, now I need to find a few more moving boxes. I’m looking forward to making the trek down U.S. Highway 151 for an Iowa-Wisconsin game — or whenever I need some more Big Grove beer or Oasis hummus.

Comments: byjohnsteppe@gmail.com