Affolter Named Graduate Student Employee for 2025-26 Season

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Senior Sydney Affolter has been named a graduate student employee with the University of Iowa women’s basketball team for the 2025-26 season, it was announced Monday by P. Sue Beckwith, MD Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jan Jensen.

“We are thrilled to have Sydney join our staff in this capacity,” said Jensen. “Sydney has been a tremendous leader for our program, and I am excited to continue to utilize her skillset as she begins her coaching career. I know our Hawkeye fans will also love continuing to see Syd involved with our program.”

Affolter, who completed her fourth and final season with the Hawkeyes in 2024-25, earned honorable mention All-Big Ten distinction from the media and was selected as Iowa’s Big Ten Sportsmanship Award recipient.  She averaged a career-high 8.5 points and 7.8 rebounds on the year.

The Chicago native scored in double figures in 15 games during the 2024-25 campaign, including scoring a career-high 24 points and knocking down four 3-pointers in the Hawkeyes’ over Michigan in February. She had six double-doubles (giving her eight for her career) and had a career-best 15 rebounds twice to become the 11th Hawkeye since 2009 to record 15 or more boards in a single game.

“I’m beyond excited to remain with a program that has given me so much,” said Affolter, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in sport and recreation management. “It’s an honor to give back and support this team in a new role. I can’t wait to get started. As always, Go Hawks!”

Affolter, who appeared in 128 career games with 44 starts, attended the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association “So You Want To Be a Coach” seminar at the 2025 Final Four in Tampa Bay.