Wisconsin Badgers athletics reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Previously covered Iowa football for The Gazette. Marquette alum. Cheese curd connoisseur.https://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lunqtmznjs2r#Badgers volleyball has announced some staff moves: Lauren Carlini ➡️ assistant coach Gary White ➡️ director of player personnel and analytics John Shondell ➡️ assistant coach More details: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/college/uw/2025/07/23/wisconsin-volleyball-announces-staffing-changes-ahead-of-2025-season/85342047007/23 Jul 2025 19:27 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lunqtmznjs2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3luavrx5mb22bA little late posting on here, but incredibly grateful for the last five years at The Gazette (including four years on the Iowa football beat). https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/steppe-im-entering-the-sports-writer-transfer-portal-with-plenty-of-gratitude-for-iowa/ And incredibly excited to be back home at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel as I cover Wisconsin Badgers athletics.18 Jul 2025 16:51 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3luavrx5mb22bhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lswe6nax4s26Paul Federici is retiring following 21 years with #Hawkeyes football (including 16 as director of football operations). He leaves a legacy of making an "incredibly challenging" role look "effortless" while mentoring the next generation. https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/as-paul-federici-retires-from-iowa-football-he-leaves-legacy-of-mentorship-steady-leadership/01 Jul 2025 18:44 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lswe6nax4s26https://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lshovyrv4s2cThe first-ever NCAA women's wrestling championships will take place in the #Hawkeyes' backyard. Coralville's Xtream Arena will host the 2026 finals in women's wrestling's first season as an official NCAA championship sport. https://www.thegazette.com/hawkeye-wrestling/coralvilles-xtream-arena-to-host-first-ncaa-womens-wrestling-championships-in-2026/25 Jun 2025 22:46 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lshovyrv4s2chttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lshh52nyjs2d#Hawkeyes DL Aaron Graves has a big Saturday ahead of him this weekend as he gets married. As for Saturdays in the fall, the all-Big Ten honorable mention is looking to improve as a leader on the defensive line. https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/iowas-aaron-graves-looks-forward-to-getting-married-off-the-field-growing-as-leader-on-the-field/25 Jun 2025 20:27 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lshh52nyjs2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lsh2xg4en222🎙️ New episode of Hawk Off The Press: #Hawkeyes RB coach Omar Young joins me on the podcast this week to talk about Iowa's running backs, his coaching philosophy, the Shanahan offense and much more. https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/hawk-off-the-press-podcast-iowa-hawkey-football-running-backs-coach-omar-young/25 Jun 2025 16:49 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsh2xg4en222https://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lsgqrljua22tA look at where the #Hawkeyes' 2026 recruiting class stands after official visit season and a trio of commitments in the last three days: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/where-iowa-football-2026-recruiting-stands-after-3-weeks-of-official-visits/25 Jun 2025 13:47 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsgqrljua22thttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lsck4nfns227In-state LB Kasen Thomas has committed to the #Hawkeyes following his official visit over the weekend. His other offers included Nebraska, Kansas State, Arizona and Iowa State. Big get for Iowa's 2026 class.23 Jun 2025 21:37 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lsck4nfns227https://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lscckjbjsk2hAs the Chicagoland area gets national recruiting attention, it has remained one of the #Hawkeyes' key talent pipelines. A look at what factors have led to Iowa's success there: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/how-chicagoland-region-has-remained-talent-hotbed-for-iowa-football-amid-increased-competition/23 Jun 2025 19:22 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lscckjbjsk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3ls7vsh5lxs2dThe #Hawkeyes have picked up a commitment from 2026 DB Ronnie Hill after offering him a scholarship. He camped with Iowa last week. Iowa was the first power-conference school to offer Hill.22 Jun 2025 20:28 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3ls7vsh5lxs2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lrvcjydb2k22After losing an impressive senior group of linebackers, Seth Wallace believes the #Hawkeyes have "a handful of names that I think have to be thrown in there as candidates" at the position group in 2025. https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/why-seth-wallace-is-very-open-minded-with-iowas-linebacker-situation-ahead-of-2025-season/18 Jun 2025 15:17 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrvcjydb2k22https://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lrt4kpcurs2n🎙️ New episode of Hawk Off The Press: Enjoyed talking with Seth Wallace about Iowa's 2025 linebacker group, the #Hawkeyes' success recruiting Chicagoland, his journey from D3 player to Big Ten assistant head coach and more: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/hawk-off-the-press-podcast-iowa-hawkeye-football-assistant-head-coach-seth-wallace/17 Jun 2025 18:24 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrt4kpcurs2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lrqsyjsfas2n2026 #Hawkeyes QB commit Cash Herrera has reopened his recruitment, he announced on social media. Herrera initially chose Iowa over offers from UCLA, Minnesota, San Diego State and others. Announced offers in May from California and Arizona.16 Jun 2025 20:28 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrqsyjsfas2nhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lrfzxkam2c2aAs much as Iowa's offense improved in 2024, OC Tim Lester believes the #Hawkeyes were never "even close to being able to truly take the gloves off offensively" in the first season with his Shanahan-style system: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/tim-lesters-iowa-offense-showed-remarkable-improvement-in-2024-what-could-be-next-in-2025/12 Jun 2025 13:33 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrfzxkam2c2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lrdfqyg6wk2j🎙️ New episode of Hawk Off The Press: Had a great conversation with #Hawkeyes OC Tim Lester about Year 1 vs. 2 with the Shanahan offense, Mark Gronowski, his own coaching journey and more: https://www.thegazette.com/podcasts/hawk-off-the-press-podcast-iowa-hawkeye-offensive-coordinator-tim-lester/11 Jun 2025 12:26 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrdfqyg6wk2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lrdfkbmiwc2jTim Lester gives a positive update on #Hawkeyes QB Mark Gronowski and explains why he gives Gronowski "freedom" that he has not "always given everybody" in this system: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/iowa-qb-mark-gronowski-is-gloves-off-in-summer-workouts-can-have-more-freedom-in-tim-lesters-2/11 Jun 2025 12:23 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lrdfkbmiwc2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lqzm2irc222qWhat we know so far about the impact of the House vs. NCAA settlement's final approval on #Hawkeyes athletics in 2025-26 and beyond: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-hawkeyes/what-house-vs-ncaa-settlements-final-approval-means-for-iowa-athletics-in-2025-and-beyond/07 Jun 2025 14:53 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqzm2irc222qhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lqpoxau7vk2z#Hawkeyes baseball plans to begin construction on the second phase of Duane Banks Field renovations in the summer of 2026, pending approval from the Board of Regents. https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-hawkeyes/iowa-baseball-plans-to-begin-second-phase-of-duane-banks-field-renovations-in-2026/03 Jun 2025 16:18 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqpoxau7vk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lqn36n472k2rThe College Football Hall of Fame's recent eligibility changes appears to be good news for Kirk Ferentz. His career winning percentage is .598, and the path is realistic for him to keep it above the new .595 benchmark in 2025 and beyond. https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/what-college-football-hall-of-fames-eligibility-change-could-mean-for-iowas-kirk-ferentz/ #Hawkeyes02 Jun 2025 15:19 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqn36n472k2rhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lqn2sjisu22rFormer #Hawkeyes standouts Brad Banks and Dallas Clark are on the 2026 ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame. The voting deadline is July 1, and the 2026 class will be announced early next year.02 Jun 2025 15:12 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lqn2sjisu22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lpjuxlowo22eOffensive line transfer (and D2 All-American) Bryce George discusses his fit with the #Hawkeyes, his skill set and Tim Lester's first time recruiting him at Western Michigan: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/for-incoming-ol-transfer-bryce-george-iowa-football-was-high-up-there-from-day-1/19 May 2025 15:24 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpjuxlowo22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lphl6cypcc24As transfer portal numbers rise nationally each year, the #Hawkeyes' ability to retain their roster has been a key factor in their recent overall success: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/how-iowa-footballs-roster-retention-has-fueled-success-in-transfer-portal-era/18 May 2025 17:24 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lphl6cypcc24https://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lpekrfv33c23Big Ten baseball standings with one game to go: #Hawkeyes can still clinch a share of the regular season title with a win against Oregon.17 May 2025 12:38 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpekrfv33c23https://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lpcewbo4as2cTransfers Shahid Barros and Ty Hudkins give Iowa "needed depth" at cornerback and safety. Barros' familiarity with Iowa's system and Hudkins' maturity also are big pluses as they join the #Hawkeyes: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/iowa-football-gains-needed-depth-at-cornerback-safety-with-spring-transfer-portal-additions/16 May 2025 15:48 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpcewbo4as2chttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lpbyttjmjc2z#Hawkeyes assistant head coach/LB coach Seth Wallace at a Linn County I-Club event last night: "We’re probably not in the market at this point for any more transfers. So probably what you see on our roster is what we’re going to work with."16 May 2025 12:12 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpbyttjmjc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lpag526h722f🎙️ New episode of Hawk Off The Press: Gary Mayabb joins me to talk about #Hawkeyes women's wrestling's second consecutive national title, the team's international success since then and more: https://www.thegazette.com/on-iowa-podcast/hawk-off-the-press-podcast-iowa-womens-wrestling-assoicate-head-coach-gary-mayabb/15 May 2025 21:05 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lpag526h722fhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lp7vfprwos2b"Elevated" recruiting has translated to elevated results from Iowa track and field's underclassmen as the #Hawkeyes acclimate swiftly to a more challenging Big Ten: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-hawkeyes/elite-underclassmen-help-iowa-track-and-field-acclimate-to-more-challenging-big-ten/15 May 2025 16:05 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp7vfprwos2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lp7o2kramk2zTalking #Hawkeyes football on SiriusXM B1G This Morning at about 9:15 CT.15 May 2025 13:54 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp7o2kramk2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/jsteppe1.bsky.social/post/3lp2otqzsms2vNow with another Sash in Iowa City (on Ben McCollum's staff), Kirk Ferentz recalled a couple memories of the late Tyler Sash earlier this month: https://www.thegazette.com/iowa-football/josh-sashs-arrival-at-iowa-brings-back-tyler-sash-memories-for-kirk-ferentz/ #Hawkeyes13 May 2025 14:25 +0000at://did:plc:g3zhrop7rhbiop77q4oopitj/app.bsky.feed.post/3lp2otqzsms2v