Last play of the game, surrounded by 77,000 of the other team’s supporters. Your team is up – but just barely. If they make this field goal, they win… another one, as they are the legendary Notre Dame, ranked 5th in the country. But you feel something deep, you do not need luck, you are on that field at that moment for a reason.

In that moment, Cade Haberman did the same thing he’s been doing since his time under Friday Night Lights in Omaha, Nebraska; he did his job on the field. #51 leapt, and that 6’2, 300-pound frame blocked Notre Dame’s final field goal attempt, securing Northern Illinois’ win in a historic upset for the program. That play became arguably one of the most talked about moments of college football for the coming week. As excited as Huskies fans were in that moment, the communities of Blair, Westside and Gretna, Nebraska might have IMPLODED.

Young men and women like Cade give years of blood, sweat, dedication and sacrifice for moments just like that. And when our hometown kids have moments that become legend, all of us who ‘knew them when’ feel immense pride and joy, like they are representing something bigger than themselves or the game. They represent US.

With that, I present to you the local stars representing our community across the country this fall. Each of them has graciously given me some of their time to share not only the behind-the-scenes tidbits that are part of being a collegiate athlete, but incredible pieces of advice for their youngest fans that extend far beyond the game of football. DISCLAIMER: for 7 years I was blessed to get to know some of these athletes and their families through my work at Westside so YES, I realize there are a lot of Warriors included here. I hope this is the start of an ongoing project to highlight our local collegiate athletes competing in sports as well, so if you’ve got beloved stars you want me and the world to know about from DC West, Papio, Elkhorn South, Bellevue, Ralston, Millard North, WHEREVER – send them my way!

I wonder how many people look at a 311-pound, 6-1 linebacker and think ‘I remember when he trick-or-treated at my house.’ I’m that lady. Arian was a hero in our neighborhood when he played for the powerhouse Gretna Dragons a few years ago. He has never forgotten the power of that hometown feel, telling me about one of the most exciting moments of his collegiate career during a road trip back home last year.

“We went down to Wayne State (Nebraska) for a game,” said Arian. “My family and friends came down to watch the game. I wasn’t starting, however, but four plays in the starting guard got hurt and I ended up playing a full game, in my home state, in front of my people.”

I don’t think a lot of folks fully understand the GRIND collegiate athletes, at all levels, put in for singular moments like that. ‘College life’ stereotypes of late nights and frat parties are non-existent. Every minute is planned, and it must be, to fit everything in.

“Along with classes and homework, I spend hours at practice, travel for games, and work hard to stay in top shape,” said Arian. “My schedule is packed, and it’s tough to find time to relax or hang out with friends. Time management is key because it is expected by both coaches and professors to do well in both school and sports. On top of that, I’m held to a higher standard when I am out in public. It’s not just about representing myself; I also represent my team, coaches, and the entire institution, so there’s always pressure to be on my best behavior.”

When his playing days are over, Arian plans to graduate from Bemidji State with a major in Aquatic Biology and a minor in Aquatic Systems; he wants to work for a fisheries program for any state’s DNR and someday, he hopes to appear on Shark Week. So why do not just enjoy fishing and relaxing now? Less than 1.6% of collegiate football players will make it to the NFL. Why grind, why push, why work countless hours/days/weeks/years for those few moments of glory on the field?

“In every athlete’s life, there comes a moment of doubt, a dark spot where you question your abilities, where you wonder if you’re truly good enough or if you’ll ever make it in your sport,” said Arian. “It’s in these moments that the temptation to quit feels the strongest. But remember this: quitting is not an option. You won’t be able to play the game forever, and if you walk away now, you’ll carry that regret with you for the rest of your life. Push through the doubt, fight through the challenges, and keep going, because every setback is just another step toward your comeback. Embrace the grind, trust your journey, and keep your eyes on the prize. There are only a few guarantees in life: adversity will find you, time will keep moving, and your chance to seize greatness will eventually pass. Make sure that when the final whistle blows, you can say you gave it everything you had, with no regrets and nothing left on the table.”

I hope you check out Arian Garcia and cheer him on this fall, or CLICK HERE to follow him on Twitter. Even if you don’t, read that last paragraph again. THAT is our guy, folks. THAT is Nebraska; maturity, a willingness to work hard for what you want, and inspiring perspective no matter what your challenge, on the field or off.

He just graduated from Harvard Magna Cum Laude in Economics with Psychology secondary. His brother-in-law is Nebraska’s all-time passing leader, Tommy Armstrong, Junior. He could brag ALL DAY about his lengthy resume of athletic, academic and personal achievements, but the first things Kaedyn Odermann wanted to make known in our discussion: that his sister is a state champion soccer player who went on to compete at Nebraska, and that his mom was an All-American basketball player at Minnesota State Moorhead. “I love to flex this!” Kaedyn told me.

You guys: this is literally my life goal. For my children to think I’m cool. I’m cheering for this guy already.

I’m a big fan of Ivy League athletics – Stanford Men’s Gymnastics sent some superstars to Paris over the summer. But here’s the deal: YOU DON’T JUST ‘GET INTO’ HARVARD. It’s HARVARD. Kaedyn Odermann earned his acceptance and graduated from Harvard,through non-stop hard work, dedication, and intelligence.

“No professors give any sort of special treatment (that a lot of people initially associate with college football players), and you are expected to be just as present and perform as well as any other non-athlete student would,” said Kaedyn. “There are no sport specific scholarships. The silver lining is that a lot of courses are competitive, meaning that your grade depends on how well other students perform. Thus, as an athlete who has competitive tendencies, there is some intrinsic motivation. For me, I wanted to get the most out of academics while playing football at a high level. I am extremely thankful to have the opportunity to play football at Harvard, and I have met amazing people in my time here that I would have never met otherwise. It has had a profound effect on who I am as a person and I am excited to see where it continues to lead me.”

Kaedyn has already confronted some difficult hurdles, including a broken hip and resulting surgery after just four games that left him bed-ridden for months. Like any champion (he’s got two Ivy League rings, by the way) he’s viewed those setbacks instead as opportunities; planning to use the extra year of eligibility he gained during injury to transfer to a high-profile business program for post-graduate studies, and always reflecting back on that time to fully appreciate the moments of glory he experiences on the field.

“The most exciting moment for me so far was beating Yale on a last second play my Sophomore year,” said Kaedyn. “A teammate of mine I really looked up to at the time, Kym Wimberly, made an incredible catch to secure the victory. I am extremely excited to host them at Harvard in our last game this season in November, and we will be playing in front of a sold out crowd. The Ivy League Championship usually comes down to that game.”

“To younger athletes, embrace and enjoy the journey along with everything that comes with it!,” said Kaedyn. “Take advantage of every opportunity you get, and never let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. Control what you can control, and as long as you work hard and put your best foot forward, the results will take care of itself. There are always going to be highs and lows in every part of your life, that is part of the learning experience. If you truly embrace the journey, everything can be seen as a lesson. Even the best of the best in the NFL and elsewhere are constantly looking for ways to improve, and have fun doing it.”

CLICK HERE to follow Kaedyn’s football season at Harvard, or CLICK HERE to follow him on Twitter. Selfishly, I hope he also posts some TedxTalks for kids with life advice and ‘why you should always brag about your mom.’ I’d like to add to her resume: All-American basketball player and raised a phenomenal young man.

So you grow up with a Dad who’s basically a football legend in the state of Nebraska, who has become a household name to a new generation through sports broadcasting. And your Mom was a three-year letter winner for the Husker soccer team in the 1990s and played for Team Canada in the 1999 Women’s World Cup. And your grandpa was a groundbreaking coach for the University of Nebraska – Omaha, the first full-time black faculty member at the institution. And your stepmother is a beloved principal at your high school, respected and admired by thousands of students and all of your teachers.

It’s like an after school special storyling for the kid who’s cocky, takes life for granted, and waits for his silver platter of opportunities to be brought to him. Caleb Benning is the exact opposite of every part of that sentence. Everything GOOD from each of the adults who helped shape him has funneled into an outstanding young man and now collegiate athlete for the University of Nebraska.

“Whatever you are trying to do in life or accomplish, work as hard as you possibly can at it, as often as you can, and the rest will sort itself out,” Caleb told me this fall. I first met Caleb during my time as Communications Director at Westside Community Schools. Even as an underclassmen, Caleb was a clear leader in every facet of life at Westside High; in academics, in volunteer work, in supporting school causes, and in every athletic endeavor he tried out for. Always polite and respectful, always the first to step up and lead the way for others. I remember specifically in the summer of 2022, my staff and I organized and hosted our first Westside Back To School Carnival, a huge undertaking for our entire district and community. Caleb and a handful of his Westside Warriors teammates (a few included in this story!) promoted our event, showed up in their football uniforms to hang out with the kids who idolized them, and stayed the entire 4-hours playing catch with students and even volunteering for our dunk tank. From my limited ‘outside looking in’ perspective, Caleb has always seemed to be a young man who GETS it, that this opportunity to wear a jersey and play in the spotlight at Phelps Field or Memorial Stadium is a chance to make an impact and serve others.

“I’m most excited about being able to represent my family IN FRONT of my family,” said Caleb, talking about his first year playing for the Nebraska Cornhuskers this season. “To be able to have the people that have supported me the most in my life, right next to me, is awesome. I know a lot of guys are very grateful to represent their home state and play for Nebraska, but I want to be one of the few that has been able to make it to Nebraska, play and contribute, and eventually make it to the NFL.”

CLICK HERE to follow Caleb’s season at Nebraska! You can also CLICK HERE to follow him on Twitter.

Right around the time Mike Lucas was hired as Superintendent of Westside Community Schools, my son Easton was discovering his LOVE of football. At 9 years old, he would watch replays of games on the Big 10 network. He would ask his Dad questions about play calling and rules of the game. And he begged me to take him to ‘Mom’s work’ to see where the big boys played football. When I shared this with Dr. Lucas, he very graciously offered to let Easton be his ‘special assistant’ at a Friday night football game on the sidelines. I remember three players in particular took time to give Easton fist bumps and make him feel special: Bo Lucas, Cade Haberman, and Cole Payton. They also spoke at elementary schools about the importance of earning good grades and being good teammates. They were dominant student athletes, winning the first state football championship in 28 years and resulting D1 offers across the country. When Cole, one of the most highly touted players to come out of Nebraska that year committed to the NDSU Bison, I swear, the entire state of North Dakota shut down on National Signing Day in anticipation; and yet the then 18-year old remained grateful and humble with every request he received.

“There’s no better feeling than accomplishing the goals my teammates and I have worked so hard for,” Cole told me recently. “Also, the relationships I’ve built through college football are so special and will last forever. Being a college athlete is a full-time job. It’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. But it’s also been one of the most rewarding.”

In his role as back-up quarterback at North Dakota State, Cole has played a key role in his team’s success, including his journey on their path to winning the NCAA Division 2 National Championship in 2021. He’s also an exceptional student, earning several academic honors in his conference.

“One piece of advice would be to buy in and trust the process from day one,” said Cole. “The more you put in the more you get out. And don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away because good things take time.”

Cole is majoring in Sports Management but hopes to keep playing football as long as possible. Ironically, as I am writing this, another ‘kid from Omaha’ who played football for a D2 school just scored a field goal in the NFL: Greg Zuerlein. And remember North Platte’s Danny Woodhead who played 10-years in the NFL? Chadron State. I’d get your autograph from Cole now before he moves on to the big time – and I have no doubt he’d kindly provide it, no questions asked.

CLICK HERE to follow Cole’s season at North Dakota State, and CLICK HERE to follow Cole on Twitter!

One of the best things about our state and community is, hands down, our incredible people. Throughout my life and career I have been so blessed to work with folks who constantly inspire me through their words and actions; it’s one of the reasons I feel so compelled to write and tell stories. In my time working for Westside, I met and worked with one of THE BEST families in the Midwest, the Habermans. Dad Justin is a longtime football and track coach, now the Varsity Head Coach of the Gretna East Griffins. What I have so respected in his leadership and approach is that it has never just been about sports (although he’s darn good at that!); Coach Haberman wants to nurture and mold outstanding young men. They volunteer throughout the communities where they play. They attend camps and activities to mentor younger athletes. They bring get-well baskets to fellow student athletes – even at other schools – who are injured on the field. Life lessons like these have a profound impact on the kids involved: case in point, the ‘kid’ who became the star of the college football world a few weeks back, 22-year old Cade Haberman, one of the captains of the Northern Illinois Huskies.

“Going into the game, we weren’t given much of a chance. We were 28-point underdogs and all we heard about were the amount of four and five stars on their roster,” Cade told me recently. “On Notre Dame’s first extra-point attempt, I got a lot of push but didn’t quite block it (I didn’t realize how close I was to blocking it until I watched the film). The push on the first extra point gave me a lot of confidence going into Notre Dame’s first field goal attempt before the half. Jogging onto the field our defensive end, and good friend of mine, Jallonie Williams asked me, “Are we going after this?” I responded, “Absolutely!” The next thing I know I feel a sting, as if I was bit by something, and then I realized I blocked the kick. Going into the locker room I was so juiced up! Fast forward to the end of the game, when Notre Dame came onto the field to attempt the field goal as time expired, my position coach called my number to go get this one. That final play felt like it took two minutes, but I felt that same sting from the earlier kick and the party was on! I could hear the faint cheers all the way from the 402!”

Cade’s game-winning heroics won him several more awards to add to an already impressive athletic resume and trophy case. But when asked for his list of achievements, he lists several non-sports things you might not expect: he’s been on the Leadership Council for two years. He leads his team bible study and is an active member of Athletes in Action. He’s also a volunteer (and has been for years) with All-Play, working with younger athletes with disabilities. I still remember attending a school assembly where Cade and his fellow Westside football teammates spoke after winning the state championship; instead of talking about football, Cade used that opportunity to tell hundreds of kids about the importance of good grades, working hard, and always being a good teammate to everyone around you.

“Give back to your community. There are so many people out there who look up to you; set the right example and inspire the dream,” said Cade. “My advice to kids now: handle your school work, take really good notes, because eventually, unfortunately, football will end but your education can never be taken from you. And to younger athletes, enjoy Friday Night Lights. There is truly nothing like it. And if you find yourself in the position where you are being recruited, make your decision based off of relationships with coaches. Don’t chase logos and brands, they mean nothing.”

This may be the start of the playbook for a future Coach Haberman; Cade hopes to follow in his Dad’s coaching footsteps at the college level. Every day, he’s up for 6am meetings, 8am practices, 10am weight training, classes from 11am to 4pm. He’s traveling for games, competing every Saturday and trying to make an impact off the field every free hour he gets. But as grueling as that schedule is, he wants to continue the family business and be around the game for the rest of his life, sharing the same inspiring lessons that impacted him.

“In today’s culture you see people transferring after one good season, ” Cade said in his post-game press conference after the Notre Dame victory. “We truly love each other. We love playing with each other. Our coaches love us. They care about relationships here. It shows.”

That’s how you recruit the best to play for you and represent your program. That’s how you inspire a new generation of players and leaders who will follow. And that’s how you show the country what incredible people come from Nebraska. CLICK HERE to follow Cade’s senior season at Northern Illinois, and CLICK HERE to follow him on Twitter!

I’ve mentored and worked with many young women over the last 25 years; KETV interns, Miss Nebraska contestants and titleholders, amateur athletes and students. One of the most articulate, smart, and driven I’ve ever met is Omaha native, engineering student and now professional football player Erin Mardi. She made history in high school, only the second female in Nebraska to win a football state championship. She inspired and mentored other female students, earning the respect of her male teammates right along with that Varsity jersey and championship ring her senior year.

“To everyone who’s seen my journey at Westside, I’m still kicking!” Erin told me recently. “I’m 19 in September and I’ve played since I was 7 years old. That makes 11 years and 12 seasons. I hope that if anything is to be taken away from my story, it’s that you just have to stay committed to what you enjoy. It doesn’t have to be football, but if you genuinely enjoy what you’re doing then follow it until you absolutely can’t anymore.”

Erin is doing exactly that; along with pursuing an engineering degree at South Dakota Mines, she has also made the Nebraska Pride women’s professional football team roster for two seasons, winning a national championship this year in the Women’s Football Alliance.

“Pro football is pretty tough,” said Erin, who plays wide receiver, corner back, and gunner on special teams. “We are in a unique situation with the WFA since we pay to play and we have to balance school or work with travel and other things. We don’t have as much time to practice so we have to give every bit of focus and effort when we can. It’s also pretty taxing on us with the Pride since most of us play both sides of the ball every game. I enjoy every ache and pain though!”

In their final playoff game to make the national championship, Erin was a key player who contributed to the team’s victory over Oklahoma City, with several punt/kickoff tackles and a muffed punt recovery. With that win, Nebraska Pride became only the second team to beat OKC at home since the team’s creation in 2015.

“I have one more guaranteed season in me before I focus on internships and work stuff,” said Erin. “I’m currently studying to get a degree in Mining Engineering at SDSM&T, so I’m really digging (pun intended) into that. Hopefully when I finish schooling I can get a job close to Omaha to continue playing with the Pride on top of work. We’ll have to see where life takes me.”

Erin – I now work at HDR, a professional services firm with a team of world class engineers. I believe THIS is what they call a full circle moment – let life bring you to HDR where I can continue sharing your inspiring stories! In the meantime for everyone reading this, click here to follow Erin’s success on and off the field, and I hope you’ll consider supporting her team, Nebraska Pride, by attending a game to cheer Erin on next season!!

Little story, nothing to do with football. When I was preparing to compete for Mrs. American, I was also recruiting potential sponsors to help me with expenses. One of the families who generously offered their support was the Rezac family of Omaha, specifically, DJ and Lisa, and their business, KB Building Services. A few short weeks later, after a trip to the ER, two long weeks bedbound and a resulting diagnosis of vestibular neuritis and chronic migraines, it became clear I would not physically be able to make the trip to Las Vegas to represent my state at this prestigious competition. Embarrassed and not a little ashamed that I was too weak to just ‘fight through’, I began contacting each of my sponsors to let them know and refund their money. DJ and Lisa responded immediately: “We don’t want it back. We invest in PEOPLE and believe in you.”

Guys. I can’t tell you how much that kind of message means, especially when you are at your lowest. And that generosity, kindness and belief in the power of community is something DJ and Lisa Rezac have embraced and demonstrated for years in the Omaha area, and taught their children. Their daughter Carly was a key figure in creating Westside High School Dance Marathon, the first of it’s kind for high schools which now raises tens of thousands of dollars annually for Children’s Hospital and Medical Center; Carly now does the same at the University of Arizona. Three of the Rezac boys used their status as some of our state’s most dominant high school athletes to impact causes throughout the Omaha area, speaking at schools, volunteering for district fundraisers, participating with Special Olympics and WE-Side Unified; they are now active with organizations like Heartland Family Service League and Youth Frontiers. Their family photos are a beautiful reflection of the Rezacs’ hearts, as they opened their home to a fellow teammate in 7th grade to move in with them and become part of their family.

And back to that part about sports dominance: the name REZAC in District 66 and throughout the Omaha area is synonymous with SPORTS LEGACY. DJ was one of the most prolific athletes to come out of Westside High School, a multi-sport athlete and member of both the Sports and Alumni Hall of Fames. Of the five Rezac children, THREE are collegiate athletes, FOUR when you include a guy they consider a son and brother, JQ Osler. And in 2023, there were no bigger names in high school sports than Anthony and Teddy Rezac. Quarterback for the back-to-back state champion Warriors (who have since continued a historic 24 game winning streak), Anthony was named the 2023-2024 Nebraska Gatorade Player of the Year and heavily recruited by programs all over the country. Teddy was rated as a 3-star recruit, ranked in the Top 100 national players in multiple categories by several sports outlets. The twin brothers chose Notre Dame.

“It’s got to be the academics and athletics,” Anthony told the Irish Sports Daily shortly after he committed. “The combo of those two is just unbeatable. And while we both knew how hard it was to go Division 1, going to the same school wasn’t necessarily always in the plan, but working out like that, it’s pretty cool and I’m grateful for it.”

Fast forward 9-months, and Anthony is deep in the grind of what it takes to be a collegiate athlete; and grateful for every moment.

“Everyone knows college athletes have busy schedules, but something I don’t think a lot of people take into account is the amount of studying you have to do,” said Anthony, a red-shirt quarterback this year for the Irish. “For your classes, for your sport and position, in addition to the coach led stuff. You’re watching film and going over game plans pretty much every night, on top of the workouts, practices, and meetings you have at the facilities.”

Teddy has already been called upon as a true freshman to contribute to Notre Dame’s success, making his debut on September 15 against Purdue.

“I’d say what I’m most excited about this year at Notre Dame is just learning how to play linebacker, and grow my skills a ton,” said Teddy. “Being a college athlete is awesome, and also isn’t the most fun sometimes. It’s a lot of meetings, practices, lifts, etc. It’s very time consuming, and especially here, where the academic side is difficult.”

And yet as busy as both young men are, they are still finding ways to follow through on what their family has ingrained in them: kindness and service to others.

“I am happy to announce that I’ve created a partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of St. Joseph in South Bend, Indiana,” both brothers shared on social media this month. “I will be providing 2 tickets to every home Notre Dame Football game to a parent/child. I remember going to Nebraska football games as a child and recognize how blessed we were going to games and with the current state of NIL and our family mission of Serving Others this is the first thing we would like to give back towards and serve others. Go Boys & Girls Club. Dream Big & HERE COME THE IRISH!”

To all who admire Anthony and Teddy for their athleticism or character, their advice to others is simple and applicable both on and off the field.

“My advice for younger athletes is a quote that I heard a few years back and is something I think about a lot. Comparison is the thief of joy. You’ve got to focus on yourself and how you’re doing, not as much on other people,” said Anthony.

“My advice would be to look at each day as an opportunity to get better, and don’t compare yourself to others,” said Teddy. “Some guys get offers their freshman season, and some their senior year. Everyone’s journey is different.”

CLICK HERE to follow Anthony on Instagram; CLICK HERE to follow him on Twitter.

CLICK HERE to follow Teddy on Instagram; CLICK HERE to follow him on Twitter.

BUT WAIT, THERE’S MORE! I mentioned THREE of the Rezac men currently play for D1 football programs. Cue eldest brother Dominic Rezac, ALSO an NSAA State Champion, ALSO a highly touted college recruit, now playing for the Vanderbilt Commodores. Dominic is juggling the same rigorous demands on his body and time as described by Teddy and Anthony, and he is also a double major at one of the most taxing private academic institutions in the country.

“It’s one of the hardest things I’ve done, but also the most rewarding,” Dominic told me recently. He has also become a leader in the still-evolving world of NIL opportunities for college athletes. Sports outlets like CollegeNetWorth.com describe Dominic as follows: ‘His athletic talent, combined with strategic branding, positions him well for future financial opportunities. The combination of his on-field skills and off-field marketability makes him a notable figure in college football.’

Smart – and still focused on the things that matter, messages he continues to share with younger athletes (and maybe, his ‘little’ brothers’.)

“Enjoy every minute of your journey and stay in the moment,” said Dominic. “Being able to play sports, no matter the level, is a privilege and creates some relationships that will stand long after your done playing.”

CLICK HERE to follow Dominic on Twitter, and CLICK HERE to learn more about partner/sponsor opportunities!

BONUS CONTENT!

When you tune in to watch these hometown college athletes each week, you may also notice a few local faces calling their games for sports fans across the country. I’m one of the goobers who proudly reminds my boys ‘see him?!? That’s my friend! I know him!’

I don’t think they believe me.

Kevin Kugler is a household name for many sports fans, and nothing short of a legend for those in Nebraska. From Unsportsmanlike Conduct to Big Red Wrap Up, covering every major sport from college to the pros; he’s travelled the world to bring five Olympic Games to sports fans; and yet Kevin Kugler is still that hilarious and caring guy from Omaha who never forgets where he came from. As impressive as his resume is, including winning Nebraska Sportscaster of the Year NINE times, I don’t have enough blog space to share what a great guy Kevin is. (For example – him taking the time to be part of this blog in the middle of a non-stop NFL schedule!) He mentors future broadcast journalists who reach out to him for advice. He will be the first to send a text or message of support or kind words. When I asked him a few years back to record a ‘good luck’ message for my son’s football team heading into the championships, he did so – from the Fox NFL booth, minutes before a big game, with Mark Sanchez right next to him cheering on our Dragons.

“Everyone has a path, but few of them start from Nebraska to get to the highest levels of broadcasting.  I’m extremely fortunate that mine has taken me to where I get to be in an NFL TV booth every week,” said Kevin. “I really do credit being raised here to being able to get along with almost anyone in any situation.  I can live anywhere in the USA that I choose to live, but my family is still in Omaha. My girls were raised in Omaha, schooled in Omaha; it’s the heart of so much that mattered to me as a kid, as an adult, and as a parent and husband.”

“I get excited about the games!” Kevin told me. “We get the chance every week to see something remarkable, and the best thing is, we never know what that remarkable accomplishment might be.  Whether it be an individual or a team accomplishment, I get the best seat in the house to narrate those moments. It’s truly the thrill of my professional lifetime to be able to do that. Imagine being there for a game winning Hail Mary, or a record setting field goal to clinch a playoff berth. That’s what I get to do every single week, and they pay me to do that!  What an amazing thing to call a ‘job!'”

I also asked Kevin the same question I asked the collegiate athletes featured in this article; what would he tell young broadcasters who dream about following in his footsteps?

“My advice is always to never say no. Take any opportunity that comes your way when you are starting out,” said Kevin. “Be ready to make VERY little money at the beginning of the career, but if you get the bug, it’s hard to stop doing it. My path was a longer road than some.. I didn’t have any connections to the industry before deciding to go this route. And more than once, I thought I was going to have to quit and do something else. But I’m very happy that I stayed with it, battled, and continue to get the chance to do something that I love. That’s really the biggest key to a professional life: find something you enjoy, and do it!”

As a fellow parent, I’d be remiss if I didn’t write about the one thing I think Kevin is more passionate about than sports: his family. Waiting for him after every road trip, national championship or Olympic games are three amazing women (one of whom has become very close with our family, Kevin’s outstanding daughter, Cassidy.) I love to remind folks of this every time they sit down to enjoy a big game, particularly on days like the Friday after Thanksgiving, or bowl games around the holidays… sports guys miss everything to bring YOU those games. Yet so often, their families are their biggest cheerleaders supporting every moment of those dreams.

“I’d share the same advice that I share with young aspiring broadcasters, and something that ISN’T brought up in J-school,” said Kevin. “If you are someone who plans to have a personal life, make sure your significant other understands what they are getting into with this career. I’ve missed Thanksgivings, I’ve missed performances; games are on nights and weekends. In other words, games are EXACTLY when your friends want to go out to a bar, or a movie, or a show. Make sure you find someone who is willing to be flexible and understands that the cost of doing this business can, at times, be a normal social life. I got lucky, and married a coach’s daughter. I highly recommend that!”

And what does our hometown guy tell the sports world about home in Omaha, Nebraska?

 “I tell them as little as possible. I don’t want them to move here,” joked Kevin. “But seriously, I brag up Omaha to anyone who asks. Great food scene, underrated music scene, terrific place to raise a family and build a life. If that’s something that interests people (and I believe everyone wants a place to raise a family and build a life), they’re going to hear about it from me!”

Simply THE BEST. Omaha, and the sports superstar representing us. CLICK HERE to follow Kevin on Twitter this season!

“Sports are fun. So covering sports should be, too. My hope is to be entertaining and informative, and in that order. With so many choices on the dial, you have to give people a reason to watch. My goal is to do just that, providing sports coverage in a uniquely entertaining way, without compromising my values.”

I found that in the KETV archives, a quote from my friend Matt dating back 15-20 years. That’s how long ago this New York guy turned Colorado Buffalo took a job in Omaha and turned SPORTS into appointment TV thousands watched because it was side-splitting, tears-running-down-your-face hilarious.

Matt Schick may not have started out as a native Nebraskan, but we adopted him quick, and it became permanent when he married his longtime girlfriend and Lincoln native, Kelly.

“The city, the people, the kindness and the culture; never felt more welcomed by any community,” Matt told me recently. “The fact that I went to the University of Colorado and still call Nebraska home tells you something!”

And if Nebraska made an impact on Matt, he CERTAINLY left his mark here.

First – ignore the anchor girl. Second – I STILL DIE LAUGHING. The story that all of Husker Nation was talking about. Never before had I seen impact like this as a young journalist; stores began selling ‘IN CARL WE TRUST’, and ‘CARLFENSE’ shirts. And years later, when Coach Carl Pelini was hired by Florida Atlantic, the university produced their own line of shirts using the same sayings.

You guys – Matt created stories like this ALL OF THE TIME, on and off camera. Interviewing Elmo about Nebraska Football when Sesame Street Live was on tour in Omaha. Convincing Nebraska Athletics to let a few Huskers play Mario Kart on the 117-foot high big screen at Memorial Stadium. Putting our Sunday night co-ed softball score on the sports ticker during newscasts (sorry, Vonn and Rose Ann – that really happened.) Nearly getting our KETV trio of misfits (myself, Matt and Owen Lei) kicked out of the Omaha Press Club show because we were always laughing at something Matt did. His dedication to making sports fun caught the eye of ESPN, and in 2012, Matt was named to the ESPNU anchor team

“Try everything,” said Matt. “If you want to do television, dabble in radio. If your dream is to write about sports, get used to being in front of the camera. Every job now touches every aspect of media, so don’t paint yourself in a career corner. Get comfortable being uncomfortable. Grow a thick skin; you will be criticized, especially in the sports arena where everyone will think you hate their team. And always question who is saying what, and why they might be saying it. Does that person with that opinion about that team work for a company that has a stake in one conference over another? As Ted Lasso says, ‘be curious, not judgmental.'”

Finally (although I could write a novel here just on Schick Shenanigans), Matt is a man of deep faith. What so admire and respect is he and Kelly share that passion, not by trying to force it upon others, but by inspiring others through their own actions and lifestyle. I have never heard Matt say a bad thing about someone else. He finds joy in making people laugh and in lifting up others (especially his four kids and Kelly.) As I covered the Von Maur shootings in 2007, it was Matt who called my cell to see if he could bring my partner and I some food or anything we might need. I specifically remember a different moment in our newsroom when a colleague was facing some medical challenges; after the newscast when most of the crew had left, Matt gathered that coworker and a few others in a small group prayer for that teammate’s health and healing.

When I asked him to contribute to my little blog, Matt said this on his career: “I get excited about the unknowns: how certain teams will fair, what the biggest stories will be, which little-known college players will emerge and leave their fingerprints on the season.”

I would argue Matt Schick, the ‘little-known guy from Colorado’ left his fingerprints on Omaha and Nebraska, and we’re all better for it.

CLICK HERE to follow Matt on Twitter, or CLICK HERE to follow him on Instagram. And I DARE YOU not to laugh.

I’ve been thinking about kicking up my blog again for years. It’s taken me more than 3 weeks to put this article together. Sometimes I wish I was just content coming home, gardening, cooking and freaking NOT committing to something else, then another, then another. But here’s why I love to tell stories: I was camped out Omaha’s Corner Kick to write while my son was at soccer practice. ESPN was covering Northern Illinois, and how they are crushing all expectations this season. I heard a guy nearby say, “NIU?!?! What the hell?” And unable to help myself, I swiveled and said, “did you see that play a few weeks ago where the kid blocked the kick that won NIU the game? That was a local guy from Blair. He played high school ball here in Omaha and now plays for Northern Illinois.” That guy and his friends were then all ears. Who?? Which one?? What’s his name?? Where did he go to school?

Maybe they just appeased me. But I’d like to think their reaction is how ALL of us feel in Nebraska when one of our homegrown people represents us in a great pursuit. Nebraska nice, Nebraska strong, Nebraska proud.

Keep at it, fellas (and Erin!) We are all rooting for you.

Thank you for reading! And thank you to Spencer Petersen with American Family Insurance for sponsoring this post!

If you’d like more information on becoming a 402 Blog Sponsor, email me at brandipaul7@gmail.com!

Now share your comments below – who has inspired you the most? Who did I forget? And what student athletes would you love to see featured this winter or next spring?