NU Athletic Department Announces Three Hirings

Lincoln -- Former Nebraska volleyball All-American Laura Pilakowski is among a trio a new hires for the Athletic Department announced Thursday.

Pilakowski has been named Assistant Strength Coach and will serve as head strength coach for the Husker volleyball, soccer and softball programs, while Kay Gertsen and Michael Maryott have been named HuskerVision Video Production Specialists.

Pilakowski helped Nebraska to four Big 12 titles and the 2000 NCAA crown during her Husker career from 1999 to 2002. A three-time first-team All-Big 12 selection, she shared conference player-of-the-year honors as a senior in 2002. Pilakowski also excelled in the weight room, where she was a two-time Husker Power Volleyball Lifter of the Year and the 2001 Husker Power Female Athlete of the Year.

In the classroom, Pilakowski was a three-time CoSIDA Academic All-American and earned an NCAA Postgraduate Scholarship in 2002. She was Nebraska’s Female Student-Athlete of the Year in 2002-03 and the Big 12 Sportswoman of the Year in 2003 for her athletic and academic success and her extensive involvement in the community. A Columbus, Neb., native, Pilakowski graduated with highest distinction from Nebraska in December of 2003, earning a bachelor's degree in marketing.

Gertsen was a student with the HuskerVision staff since 2001 and has worked extensively with Coach John Cook's Nebraska Volleyball Show, while also working with the Nebraska women's gymnastics program. A native of Watertown, S.D., Gertsen earned her bachelor's degree in broadcasting from Nebraska in May of 2004.

Maryott began his work with the HuskerVision staff as a student in 1999. He will work directly with the Nebraska football team as a videographer for all games, while assisting with recruiting videos. Maryott is also the producer of the Barry Collier Show for the NU men's basketball program. Maryott has been the director of big screen operations for the Lincoln Saltdogs from 2001 through 2004 and also worked at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. A native of Blair, Neb., Maryott earned his bachelor's degree from Nebraska in August of 2004.