Sports play an important role in our society and can be used as a lens through which we view gender, cultural, economic, class and racial issues. Television, the internet and social media allow audiences all over the world to engage with favorite teams and athletes. But with increased access comes the potential for increased conflict as the line between - on and off - the field issues blurs. The panel will examine these issues as sports and society become more intertwined in our lives.
The panel is part of the inaugural Big Ten Sports Media and Communication Symposium being held at the College of Journalism and Mass Communications Sept. 14-15.
Details:
Friday, Sept. 15
3:30-4:30 p.m.
Room 15, Andersen Hall
Panelists
Stacy Fuller
executive vice president of creative | Havas Sports and Entertainment
Stacy Fuller is the executive vice president of creative at Havas Sports and Entertainment USA. After graduating from the CoJMC in 1999, she started her advertising career in Chicago and spent time in Los Angeles working with Deutsch. After moving to New York City she joined the Havas team in 2011, leading Cake, a boutique content agency, and serving as Head of Content for Havas North America. She has crafted iconic campaigns for some of the world’s most recognizable brands during her time in the industry. Stacy played an instrumental role in creating Havas Sports and Entertainment USA and was recently named as one of the most powerful women in sports marketing by Adweek.
Paula Lavigne
reporter | ESPN
Paula Lavigne is an ESPN investigative reporter specializing in data journalism, statistics, and training colleagues on databases and investigative reporting techniques. She writes primarily for the Outside the Lines brand on television and online. Before joining ESPN, Paula reported for The Dallas Morning News, The Des Moines Register and The News-Tribune in Tacoma, Washington. She is the co-author of Violated: Exposing Rape at Baylor University Amid College Football’s Sexual Assault Crisis. Paula has won several awards for her work, including a 2017 Gracie Award for her work on the Baylor sexual assault cases for ESPN. She holds degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Creighton University.
Shelley Smith
reporter | ESPN
Shelley Smith is a sports correspondent for ESPN SportsCenter. Before joining ESPN in 1997 she wrote for Sports Illustrated, Pacific Stars and Stripes in Tokyo, The San Francisco Examiner and the Associated Press. She won a Sports Emmy in 1997 for her segment on Magic Johnson as part of an ESPN production on AIDS and athletes. She is the author of two books, “Just Give Me the Damn Ball” and "Games Girls Play: Lessons to Guiding and Understanding Young Female Athletes." Shelley graduated from University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1981 with degrees in journalism and political science.
David Witty
senior associate athletic director | Nebraska Athletics
David Witty is a senior associate athletic director for the Nebraska Athletic Department, overseeing marketing and communications. He is involved in all areas of Husker advertising, including marketing and brand management, strategies, ticket marketing and sales, fan experience, and licensing and trademark activities. He also oversees HuskerVision, media relations, digital communications, graphic design, Huskers Authentic and provides overall support for Husker spirit groups and University of Nebraska–Lincoln bands. Before moving to Nebraska, David served as the vice president and general manager of Husker IMG Sports Marketing and spent more than two decades with the Kansas City Royals.