My Journey as a Female Journalist at Nebraska

Positive Side of Things

 

I realized fairly quickly that I wanted to be a journalist.

But I was never interested in any negative or investigative style of reporting. That was something I knew I didn't want to be involved in, right off the bat. 

I also wasn't keen on daily deadlines, and I knew I preferred to work on longer-form projects. So, the seasons of sports seemed very attractive to me.

I was fortunate that the son of my predecessor, former UNL Sports Information Director Don Bryant, lived in my small town. He suggested I speak with Don and try to get a position within athletics while I was going to school.

It's actually funny when thinking back because I'm not very athletic at all. I just loved the university setting and the opportunity to tell some stories that maybe aren't normally told.

After speaking with Don, he asked if I wanted to work with women's athletics. It was a no-brainer decision for me — I knew I'd be very comfortable with that.

I just wanted a chance to tell positive stories. 

Media has changed so much during my four decades in collegiate athletics. It's gotten pretty ugly at times, and there's a trust factor that went away. 

I never wanted our student-athletes to feel like we'd ever be the ones to say anything they didn't want to have said.

That's how I approached my job every single day. 

My Personal Experience

 

It's easy to have that sort of daily mentality when you're greeted with the love and respect that I had from the start at Nebraska.

Everyone's experience is obviously different, but for me, personally, I can honestly say the climate back then as a woman was pretty great here at the University. 

Coach Tom Osborne, Coach Frank Solich, Don Bryant, and Bill Byrne have been really great to work with as they never treated me differently because I was a woman. It was always, "What do you need to do your job?"

I am so fortunate to learn from so many amazing coaches and student-athletes who treat everyone with respect. I’m grateful to Coach Gary Pepin, Coach John Cook, Trev Alberts and so many others who made working for the Huskers so easy as they always had the student-athletes at heart.

It saddens me to know that it wasn't like that for everyone.

I've always been so blessed with people who gave me an opportunity and never shut the door in my face.

Not once. Not in Nebraska.

They helped open a path for me to becoming the first female Sports Information Director of a Division I football program. 

It was unique to have an opportunity like that one, particularly in the 1990s at a school like Nebraska.

But there were other women that mentored me at other universities and colleges. 

I respected, admired, and learned from so many of them. 

Title IX's Direct Impact

 

Title IX had a direct impact on collegiate athletics, no doubt.

While Nebraska was already providing women opportunities, Title IX specifically assisted in the promotion of women in areas such as media, radio, TV and on the website. These are areas that I was directly involved in. 

I think Title IX definitely increased opportunities across the board for all women’s sports, specifically in the number of women’s sports that the Huskers support. 

Title IX improved practice and competition facilities for women as well. It was a commitment to making it fair. And I definitely consider that a positive thing.

I've always felt like Nebraska was a leader -- giving people an opportunity to work toward accomplishing goals regardless of gender.

The Real Champion

 

It's an opportunity that's been afforded to so many women that have championed the way for equality in women's athletics — women that have mentored me such as Pat Logsdon, Rhonda Revelle and Dr. Barbara Hibner.

These women can't get enough credit for all of their hard work.

I learned so much from them and just pursuing all of this alongside them has been a real blessing.

Some would think of Nebraska as this very conservative school, but that wasn't the case for me. We had the equal opportunities to succeed.

I was just thankful to experience all of it. 

I had unique opportunities to be a servant leader at my alma mater working with amazing coaches and I’ve had amazing opportunities to mentor other women in the field of collegiate athletics. 
Now I’m equally blessed to be a part of TeamMates Mentoring program working alongside Coach Osborne. 

TeamMates was co-founded by Coach and Nancy Osborne in 1991 when 22 football players who raised their hands to be a mentor. Two of those caring adults were Will Shields and Coach Mickey Joseph. 

Just being there to share in the triumphs and struggles of Husker student-athletes was such an honor for me. I hope to continue to be a positive mentor for years to come. 

Being a part of the Husker team is something I'll always cherish. I'm truly appreciative of the opportunities I've had, and I just hope that in some aspects — big or small — I have had a positive influence along the way.