Jessica Coody – Huskers Radio Network Host and Producer

Huskers Radio Network Host and Producer
Years in the industry: 17

What is your current position or role?

Huskers Radio network producer, reporter and host. Host of Sports Nightly, sideline reporter for Husker football broadcasts and host/producer of the Huskers Radio Network Podcast, Huskers social/digital media talent.

What sparked your interest in athletics?

My dad was a basketball coach, so I grew up in a gym. I fell in love with the game and played all throughout high school. I also grew up watching football and basketball with my dad and brother. Sports were always a part of my family and so much of what we did together growing up.

Who are the women in athletics that have influenced you the most?

Stacey Dales. She played basketball at Oklahoma and then began a very successful sports broadcasting career and is now on the NFL Network.

Pat Summit. I was a huge fan of hers and Tennessee as a young girl and just admired the way she so was so fiercely her and stood up for other women in sports, using her platform to grow the game for young women.

Since I’ve been at Nebraska I immediately think of women like Rhonda Revelle, who truly is a pioneer, from athlete to coach and leader and one of the kindest, caring human beings. She sets the example of how you can be both fiercely competitive and genuinely kind and gracious. She’s the best cheerleader one can ever ask for, same goes for Amy Williams. I admire their friendship and how these two strong women support each other so loyally.

What advice would you give to young women entering athletics?

Believe in yourself and have confidence in your individual talents. Don’t do the comparison game, just don’t do it. There’s only one uniquely you, and nobody else can do what you were specifically created to do, embrace that.

How has the role of women in athletics evolved?

So, so much. First is just the interest and viewership numbers. People are tuning in and watching and caring more than they ever have. In my kind of role specifically, you see women all over doing so many different roles throughout sports media, and when I first had a peaked interest in getting into this field, it was primarily just as television sideline reporters. Now, I not only feel valued for my presence on air, but also for my thoughts and ideas to help grow and develop our overall product.

What is one of your favorite moments or career highlights?

Serving as the sideline reporter for the TNT team stream at the NCAA Final Four Men’s basketball tournament. Being the first woman to ever call play-by-play for an Oklahoma men’s basketball game. And telling the countless feature stories of student athletes, having them open up and share some of the highest of highs and lowest of lows, and learning what those stories mean to those athletes and their families.