Completed Event: Men's Basketball at Utah on February 24, 2026 , Win , 75, to, 59
Final
Men's Basketball
75
Utah
59
Iowa State University Athletics
Schmidt Selected for 2026 TopConnect Basketball Symposium
06.12.2026 | Men's Basketball
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Iowa State Men's Basketball Assistant Coach Nate Schmidt was selected to attend the 2026 TopConnect Basketball Symposium. Presented by Just Play Sports, the symposium was held June 8 at UNLV. Among the 39 selected to attend on the men's side, Schmidt was one of just three from the Big 12 selected.
The invitation-only event brought together 50 rising leaders in collegiate basketball for a unique professional development and networking experience. Through educational sessions, leadership presentations and TopConnect's signature speed dating, participants engaged directly with athletic directors, conference commissioners, search firm executives and industry leaders from across the country.
"TopConnect continues to serve as one of the premier opportunities in college athletics for coaches and administrators to connect, prepare, and lead professionally," said TopConnect Director Dr. Richard Sander. "This year's coaching cohort represents some of the brightest leaders in our game, and we are excited to provide an environment that fosters relationship-building, mentorship, and career development."
Now in its ninth year, the TopConnect Basketball Symposium has become one of the most respected leadership development opportunities in college athletics. Since its inception, TopConnect has connected hundreds of coaches and athletics administrators, helping facilitate professional advancement opportunities while strengthening the leadership pipeline throughout intercollegiate athletics.
The 2026 symposium featured programming focused on leadership development, the hiring process, navigating the first 90 days in a new role, fundraising strategies and insights from executive search firm leaders. Participants gained practical knowledge while expanding their professional networks through meaningful interactions with decision-makers from across the collegiate athletics landscape.
Schmidt completed his fourth year as an assistant coach and eighth year overall at Iowa State in the 2025-26 season. Schmidt has previously been selected to the Silver Waves Elite 75 Future Head Coach Power Lunch in 2025 and the Silver Waves 100 Most Impactful Men's High Major Assistants list in 2026. During his second stint at Iowa State, the Cyclones have tallied a 124-103 record with five trips to the NCAA Tournament in five years.
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