University of Northern Iowa Athletics
Dylan Connolly hired as Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Event Operations
8/24/2026 2:00:00 PM | General
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa --- The UNI Athletic Department on Monday announced the hiring of Dylan Connolly to the position of Assistant Athletic Director for Facilities and Event Operations.
Connolly, who comes to Cedar Falls after four years at Arizona State University, will oversee game management for selective sports and special events, work with student scheduling for internal and external events and manage multiple outside event rentals.
"We are excited to have Dylan join our Panther team," said Jerry Wolmering, UNI's Senior Associate Athletic Director / Chief Financial Officer. "His experience combined with his desire to return to this area make him the perfect fit to lead our facilities and events staff."
In his four years in Tempe, Arizona, Connolly worked as an Event Coordinator and later Senior Event Coordinator for the Sun Devils Athletic Department, primarily responsible for event management for ASU men's ice hockey and women's lacrosse, with additional event management of football and golf facilities. He notably worked multiple high profile events in Arizona, including the 2024 and 2026 NCAA Division I Men's and Women's Basketball Final Fours respectively, the 2023 NCAA Golf Championships and multiple Pac-12 Conference championship events.
Prior to Arizona State, Connolly spent two years as an athletics facilities intern at the University of Iowa while pursuing a master's degree. His time in Iowa City included assisting in facility and event operations for the Hawkeye football, women's soccer, women's gymnastics, women's rowing and women's tennis programs. Connolly also worked multiple NCAA Tournament events at Iowa, including first and second round NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament games at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.
"I am beyond excited to join an athletic department with a rich history and a passionate fan base," said Connolly. "I look forward to immersing myself not only into the university, but the Cedar Falls community as well."
A Winnebago, Illinois native, Connolly graduated from Loras College in Dubuque with a bachelor's degree in sports management in 2020 after a football playing career as an offensive lineman. He earned his master's in sport and recreation management from Iowa in 2021.
UNI Athletics action can be followed all year long on social media on Facebook (UNI Athletics), X (@UNIAthletics) and on Instagram (@uniathletics). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
