For Rusler, Life after Gymnastics Will Be in Entertainment Television

By Jackie Wallgren, Nebraska Life Skills Assistant

A Roman philosopher once said, "Luck is what happens when opportunity meets preparation." 

For Josh Rusler, a Husker gymnast and broadcast journalism major in his final season of competition, this statement could not have been truer.

Last summer, while interning with the entertainment television show Extra, Rusler enjoyed an unforgettable experience. His preparation began in the summer of 2003 when he was selected to appear on Switched!, a reality television show appearing on the ABC Family Channel that featured two teenagers who swapped lives to see what it's like to walk in another's shoes. 

In his appearance on the show, Rusler, a native of Norman, Okla., ventured to Martha's Vineyard, Mass., where he worked at a fish market and spent time on a sailboat.

But his real lessons came from watching the behind-the-scenes action in the overall production of the show. That experience, Rusler said, inspired him to pursue work in the television business after he receives his NU diploma.

As a talented gymnast, Rusler was considering a handful of schools for his college career. However, knowing that he wanted to work in television, he sought out an institution with a strong journalism school. Learning about Nebraska's broadcasting major and noticing that it felt a lot like home when he visited, Rusler came to Lincoln, unaware that it would become his ticket to an internship in Los Angeles.

Former Husker Back Kelley paved the way

Rusler met opportunity in the airport in Las Vegas while returning to Nebraska from a competition. During the layover, Rusler spotted Jon Kelley - former Husker running back, NU grad and one-time host of Extra - and bravely introduced himself. 

Noticing Rusler's Nebraska t-shirt, Kelley inquired about his background, and eventually learned that Rusler was interested in working in the entertainment business. In a kind gesture, Kelley offered to arrange for a tour of the Extra set if Rusler ever found himself in L.A. 

Taking Kelley up on his offer in the summer of 2008, Rusler made an immediate impression and earned a 5-week, unpaid internship at Extra last summer.

Rusler spent his time with the show working under the wing of multiple Emmy Award-winner Jerry Penacoli, a correspondent for Extra. Rusler assisted producers, worked red-carpet events, helped stage manage Mario Lopez, and researched background information for stories. One of the highlights of his internship was working the Inglourious Basterds movie premier event alongside Penacoli. 

When asked about his least favorite part of the internship, Rusler joked that compiling a list of "10 facts you wouldn't know about the Jonas Brothers" doesn't rank high on his list. However, he mentioned that leaving work was his least favorite part of the day. 

Even though he worked in close proximity to Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt and got access to red-carpet events, Rusler said his favorite part of the internship was "just being in L.A.! The city is amazing," he said. "You never know who you'll run into!"

Still keeps in regular contact with his mentor

Rusler left Los Angeles with a world-class mentor in Penacoli, someone he continues to speak with on a regular basis.

After hearing Rusler reminisce about his experience with Extra, one might wonder what comes next for the senior gymnast. He is, after all, on track to graduate in August, and hopes to move to LA and pursue his career in entertainment television shortly thereafter.

Some might call it Lady Luck knocking on his door.

Rusler, though, sees it differently. He considers LA and entertainment television as an opportunity that may have started with a little luck, but one that now requires working harder and getting luckier.  

Would you expect any other attitude from an aerial specialist in Nebraska's lineup?

It seems like a natural progression for a young man who's made a college athletic career out of performing at high levels and at high heights.

Luck left the equation a year ago.

Now, for Rusler, it's just like competing in gymnastics where you develop a strategically sound strategy, execute it and then get rewarded for it.

After being "up in the air" for most of his career, Josh Rusler soon will prepare himself to be "on the air" and, he insists, stay there for as long as possible.

Editor's note: The Nebraska men's gymnastics team opens its season Saturday in a six-team Rocky Mountain Open field at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. Rusler will compete on pommel horse and high bar.