Huskers' Haynes Shooting For Career in TV
By John Mabry
Lincoln Journal Star
This story about broadcasting major Iman Haynes is reprinted by permission.
Nebraska soccer player Iman Haynes, a junior forward who has scored twice for the Huskers this season, has another big goal in mind.
"Imo," as she's known to her teammates, wants to have her own TV talk show someday.
That show is sure to be a hit, but today we're working on a different type of program, a documentary that we will be pitching to the execs at E! Television. They'd be crazy to pass it up.
Our biography - let's call it "Finding Imo" - is a behind-the-scenes look at a young broadcasting major from Denver. She's a Husker who hasn't lost her All-American smile despite losing much of her freshman season to a knee injury.
Oh, and by the way, her father played in three Super Bowls.
We have a lot of ground to cover, but let's start by looking at Haynes' interest in television.
Where did it all begin, Iman?
"When I was little, my mom (Victoria) put me into this corporation called Kid Skits, and we put on plays, did musicals and acting. And through that corporation, I did commercials and was on the cover of a book and things like that, so I was always interested in being in front of the camera.
"We used to live in New Jersey and New York, and we'd go back there probably once a year. And my mom used to wake us up early and take us down to 'Good Morning America.' My mom said, 'That's something you could do.'
"I thought about it. I was like it's a little bit of what I wanted to do when I was doing commercials and everything like that. Since middle school and high school, I said, 'When I go into college, I'm going to major in broadcasting.'"
Victoria, what do you think about Iman having her own TV show someday?
"She should. She is very personable. I think she should."
Iman, what have you learned from your mother over the years?
"My mom taught me to work hard and just always believe in myself. My parents are both very influential in my life, just strong people for me in different ways.
"I saw it through my (younger) sister (Jasmine), who was (born) premature. The doctors told my mom that (Jasmine) wouldn't be able to hear very well or see, maybe play sports or do certain things. Mom just wouldn't believe it.
"She kept working with my sister. My sister's proved them all wrong. She's great. She's taller than me. She plays sports. She's normal. She showed me to just believe in yourself and work hard."
Your father, Mark, played football at Colorado and then for the New York Giants (1980-85) and Denver Broncos (1986-89). He played in three Super Bowls. How has your dad's athletic experience influenced you?
"The summer before I came here - Marty (Everding, NU assistant) put together a workout packet that we have to do - so right when we got that packet my dad was gung-ho about it. 'We're staying on track. We're doing these things that Marty has in the packet. ... You've got to be in shape. This is something you can control.'
"So I was like, 'Oh, goodness. Daddy's going back to when he used to play.' We're two totally different people. But he trained me throughout the summer. We went off to the track. He timed my runs.
"He influenced me to work hard, to know the things I can control: my fitness and my mental state of mind."
Mark, what has been most gratifying for you as you've watched Iman compete at Nebraska?
"I think the mental aspect of it, how she has mentally hung tough and fought through some adversity."
Did you know much about soccer before your kids got involved?
"I had no clue. I still don't know offsides."
Mark, has Iman promised you that you would get to be the first guest on her show?
"If she wants ratings, she needs to get someone else."
So let's ask the star. Who are going to be the first guests on "Iman"?
"Maybe Mariah Carey. She's my favorite singer. I like her. Right now, I'm a big fan of Starr Jones. I like the show, 'The View' with Barbara Walters, so I like Starr Jones.
"I have to get a guy in there. I'd love to have my parents on.
Celebrity-wise, maybe Denzel Washington."
What kind of a spread will you have in the waiting area on your talk show?
"Well, whatever (the guests) like. I can see myself only having strawberry Starbursts in a big bowl."
Which one of your teammates could get into the talk-show business?
"I think past people like Christine Latham. I think she could have. Just her character. I think she'd be comfortable in front of the camera. I don't know, she's so funny to me. I think she'd be great."
Do you like the nickname, 'Imo'?
"Yeah, I don't mind it. Paige Phillips (now a volunteer assistant with the team) came up with that at practice one day last year. I don't know how. She was just throwing out nicknames for everyone. She said 'Imo' for me, and it kind of just stuck."
Let's bring in head coach John Walker for a moment. Coach Walker, how has Iman progressed in your program?
"She's done really well, just a good work ethic. You get the feeling she comes to practice every day looking to improve."
Iman, if there's one school you really want to beat, which one is it?
"CU."
Because it's your dad's school?
"Yes. I grew up with the CU-Nebraska rivalry in football. So when we play them I think we have to beat them."
Were you old enough to see your dad play in any of his three Super Bowls with the Broncos (1987, 1988 and 1990)?
"I can't remember any. The Pro Bowl in Hawaii. I remember that. I got sick. It's just bits and pieces. I remember when he hurt his back. I think it was against the San Francisco 49ers, so I haven't liked them since, because they hurt my dad."
So Iman, why did you decide to come to Nebraska?
"I picked Nebraska because of the support they give student-athletes academically and here at the soccer program with John, Marty and Megan (Skinner, NU assistant). Also, the girls on the team. I really, really like the girls. That was a huge thing for me."
Let's get another coach in here. Megan, do you see TV as Iman's calling perhaps?
"She has a wonderful personality for it. She's extremely positive with people, especially with recruits, recruits' parents. She's so friendly.
"She's done the HuskerVision shows. She's interviewed John (Walker) on those. I could just see her, I think she'd actually be a great sideline reporter. I really do."
Megan, you're expecting your first child soon. Would you consider Iman as a baby sitter?
"She'd be awesome. She'd be one of the first ones. She and Brooke Bredenberg (NU junior goalkeeper)."
Iman clearly has the people skills to succeed in life, but we need to find out if she really has what it takes to make it in television.
Coach Walker, Iman once interviewed you for a HuskerVision program. How did she do?
"She's definitely the one with the talent, not me.
"She's a natural."
