Introducing the Iowa City Area Sports Commission’s November Playmaker of the Month, Ben Van Wyk!
Once a month, we will be highlighting our sports community members during a time of year they work closely with our team.
Current Title?
Assistant Director at the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union
How many years have you been with the IGHSAU?
Started in January of 2022.
What brought you to the IGHSAU and where were you before?
Prior to working with the IGHSAU, I spent 10 years in education, athletic administration, and coaching in a variety of roles. I was a middle school athletic director and K-8 PE teacher for three years. I went back to school for my administration degree as a graduate assistant while coaching college basketball for two years. Most recently, I was a middle school and high school athletic director and Dean of Students for five years.
What achievements/events are you most proud of during your time at the IGHSAU?
The State Volleyball Tournament is, without question, the event that I am proud of during my short tenure thus far at the IGHSAU. It is a high-level event that would rival any high school state volleyball tournament in the country.
Favorite thing about Coralville/Iowa City community.
My favorite thing about the Coralville and Iowa City community is the relationships we have developed with the people there. Our partnerships with the staffs at Xtream Arena, Think Iowa City, and the Iowa City Area Sports Commission have developed into genuine friendships. We share a common goal of putting on premiere events for the student-athletes we serve.
What goals do you have for yourself and the organization?
The IGHSAU is unique that it’s the only organization in the country solely dedicated to 7th – 12th grade female athletics. I think our ever-present organizational goal and mindset is to simply keep moving our organization forward in a manner that highlights the great student-athletes, coaches, and programs we serve. It is an endless blank canvas for us to consistently enhance the memories they make through school-based activities.