What is your NMU connection?
I attended NMU from 2017-2021 and worked for the football team for 3.5 years.
Your favorite NMU memory or story
My favorite NMU memory was the crazy amount of snow we got my sophomore year. I was living in The Woods at the time, and the snow fell so often that when I would go looking for my car in the parking lot, there wasn’t one inch of it not covered in snow. I had never seen anything like it before.
Who is the most influential person you met during your time at NMU and why were they so influential?
The most influential person I met during my time at NMU was the defensive coordinator at the time, Kirby Cannon, who gave me my first-ever paid position in football. I emailed Kirby my first semester of freshman year telling him my goals of working in football. Kirby believed in me and gave me an opportunity, took the time to teach me and I wouldn’t be where I am today without him and the rest of the football staff under Kyle Nystrom.
Tell us about the significance of any teams, clubs, or organizations you were part of during your time at NMU
During my time at NMU, I was given the opportunity to work with the football team. From January of 2018 until I graduated in May of 2021. Coming into NMU as a freshman, I knew I wanted to work in football as a career, and I hoped I’d be able to gain some experience with NMU’s football team. The coaches hired me in January of 2018, and allowed me to come in and help with practices, games, social media, and recruiting. They let me sit in on coaches' meetings and observe them studying film. NMU allowed me to get my foot in the door within the industry, without this experience I wouldn’t be where I am, or who I am today. Since starting out with NMU’s football team, I can now say I’m living out my dream’s of working in the NFL. And I couldn’t be more thankful to the football community NMU provided me while I was there, and for everything I was taught along the way.
What is/was your favorite thing to do in Marquette?
My favorite things to do at NMU were going to the Superior Dome on game days, hiking at Wetmore Landing, and going to Babycakes to study and enjoy their coffee and food.
Talk about any significant/memorable sporting events, weather occurrences or other on-campus activities
My significant sporting event memory was our season opener in the Superior Dome in 2019 against Mckendree. The Wildcats won 30-9, and the feeling of being on the sidelines and a part of this team during a win in the season opener was such an exciting moment for me and the rest of the team. I will never forget it.
What is your current or former profession?
My current profession is working with Coaches/Player Video for the Buffalo Bills.
How did NMU help you get to where you are today?
NMU gave me my first real start in the sports world. Within classrooms and sports facilities, from the people to the players, everyone I encountered at NMU impacted my decision to dedicate my career to continue working in football. At this time (when I started out), women in football was still a relatively new concept, but I had a passion for the sport and just needed someone to give me the chance. The coaches at NMU gave me an opportunity with no prior experience, and helped teach me the ways of college football and the hard work it takes to succeed. The people I met at NMU believed in my dreams and helped me achieve them. Everyone starts somewhere, and I’m extremely proud and thankful to say my start was with the NMU Wildcats.