Nancy Justis (2009) - Hall of Fame

Nancy Justis

Induction:
2009

Dr. Jitu Kothari Meritorious Service Award

Nancy Justis spent 30 years in the UNI athletics media relations office, including 26 years as the director of media relations. Justis came to UNI in 1974 and began her career as an assistant editor in the Office of Public Information Services. In 1976, Justis became the university’s first fulltime assistant sports information director developing local, regional and national coverage for UNI’s women’s athletic programs, which had never received coverage.

In 1979, Justis was promoted to Director of Athletics Media Relations, directing the planning, creation and implementation of all promotional and information materials relating to UNI athletics. At the time of her promotion, Justis was one of just six females in the country to be in charge of football media relations duties.

Over the course of her tenure with the Panthers, Justis won numerous publication awards from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) including earning the honor of first in the nation for the Division I-AA 2004 football media guide.

In addition to her contributions to UNI, Justis also served as the assistant press venue chief at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, Calif. and also as the Assistant Media Chief at the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis, Ind.

Justis and her husband Bob have been longtime supporters of UNI athletics as Bob serves as the public address announcer at UNI football and men’s basketball games. Their daughter, Nicole, graduated from UNI and also worked in the UNI Athletics Media Relations department as a student assistant.