FAYETTE, Iowa - Upper Iowa Athletics is welcoming Cody Lawrence to the staff as the Director of Athletics Video Production. In the role, Lawrence will create and produce video for the athletic department's social media, GLVC Sports Network broadcasts and the in-stadium video boards. 

"We are ecstatic to have Cody join our staff," Sports Communications Director Grant Tighe said. "He's done some great video production work for us in the past, and I'm excited to see him take on an expanded role within our department. Cody has built a strong reputation in the Peacock community already, and I know he'll bring that same level of dedication to athletics. I'm looking forward to seeing how he can elevate our creative content and help us continue to tell the stories of our student-athletes and programs through video."

Lawrence has worked with Upper Iowa admissions since November 2024, helping build relationships with prospective students and their families. He graduated with his bachelor's degree from Upper Iowa in 2023 and completed his MBA this past summer with an emphasis in Sports Administration.

He also competed for the Peacock men's bowling team and the esports team during his time as an undergrad from 2019-23. While doing that, Lawrence also assisted the gameday production staff for Upper Iowa's sports broadcasts. He continued to aid in the production of sports broadcasts while working in admissions. 

"What excites me most about telling the stories of Upper Iowa Athletics is having the opportunity to showcase what makes being a Peacock athlete so special," Lawrence said. "Having experienced Upper Iowa as a student-athlete and now having the opportunity to work alongside our athletic programs, I have seen firsthand the amount of hard work, dedication and passion our student-athletes and coaches put in every day. Through video, I want to capture more than just the highlights and final scores. I want to tell the stories behind the athletes, coaches and programs while creating content that gets our fans excited and makes our student-athletes proud to represent Upper Iowa. I am excited to continue building the Upper Iowa Athletics brand and find new and creative ways to showcase what it truly means to be a Peacock."

Lawrence also gained experience outside of Upper Iowa last summer, working as a Production Assistant Intern with the Iowa Woo, a professional indoor football team. Between that position and work assisting UIU coaches in the admissions office, Lawrence has developed experience collaborating with coaches to accomplish various tasks. 

"The Admissions Department was an amazing opportunity for me to return to my alma mater and help give students the same opportunity that Upper Iowa gave me back in 2019," Lawrence said. "It was a difficult decision to leave because I was beginning to find my stride in the position and had built some great relationships, but I still felt like something was missing, and that was sports. My passion for athletics has always driven my goal of eventually working within an athletics department or sports organization. When this opportunity presented itself, I knew I had to apply and see if that dream could become a reality. Getting the chance to pursue that passion at my alma mater makes the opportunity even more meaningful."

With Upper Iowa becoming a second family to him, Lawrence is grateful for the opportunity to continue his career in a role that allows him to pursue his passion in athletic storytelling.  

"I am incredibly thankful for everyone who has helped me reach this point, especially my family, friends, mentors and colleagues at Upper Iowa," Lawrence said. "I want to thank the Admissions team for allowing me to return to UIU and grow professionally, as well as the Athletics staff for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to turn my passion for sports and creativity into a career. This is an exciting next chapter, and I'm proud to continue representing a place that has meant so much to me. Once a Peacock, always a Peacock!"