Dorinda Ross, advertising & digital manager for Nike’s Women's Training in the U.S.

In our search for the Women’s Nike Field Reporter we reviewed hundreds of other applicants ourselves. One voice rang out from the masses. One girl’s personality, qualifications and “it” factor differentiated her from all others. Brittany Jones-Cooper.  

As a journalism student from Nebraska, Brittany already had her hands full with school. But she saw this opportunity and snatched it up, giving it her all and putting together an impressive body of work—all while handling her business back on campus.

Buttoned-up and bubbly. That’s Brittany. She has an uncanny smoothness about her in situations that would intimidate most college journalists. This can be attributed partially to her natural confidence and partially to the extensive level of research and preparation she does for each interview. She knows her audience, she knows her subjects and she knows how to get the answers she’s looking for.

After being selected as the Nike Women’s Field Reporter, Brittany was able to manage her school load while jet-setting around the country and interviewing some of the world’s premier athletes. Nike can run a crew ragged trying to capture all of the materials they need, and since Brittany was the only Field Reporter we had, it all fell on her shoulders. From interviewing bands at SXSW in Austin, to covering the madness of NBA All Star Weekend in New Orleans, she’s always professional and has an impressive ability to roll with the punches. For instance, during an interview with Olympic swimmer Maritza Correia, Brittany found herself being thrown into the pool. She still pulled off a flawless close, never once seeming rattled or calling for a wardrobe change.

More than anything, it’s her poise and natural demeanor in front of the camera that sets her apart. Never outwardly star-struck—not even when jawing with her idol Jackie Joyner-Kersee — she has the ability to disarm some of the biggest athletes in sports. Brittany’s interview style makes it seem as if she and the athletes are long-time friends having a conversation, which makes for informative and enjoyable segments. In six months, she’s put together a reel many professional journalists would envy.

Trina Creighton, professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Brittany is one of the most outstanding students in the College of Journalism and Mass Communications. From her dedication to learning to her ambition to succeed, Brittany is going to make a great journalist.

I have had Brittany in class several times and she continues to surprise me. She has such a desire to be the best and does a great job of inspiring others to do the same. She excels at writing, editing and has a wonderful on-camera presence. She is open to coaching and is always up for the next challenge. Her talents have earned her two amazing internships where she had to beat out thousands of other candidates. The future is very bright for her.

Kanyessa Heshiimu, producer for the Nike Field Reporter Program

Brittany has an uncanny ability to role with the punches and that allows for her to get great fun interviews with world renowned athletes, such as, Serena Williams, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Lisa Leslie and Picabo Street. This fun, professional and informative style not only but makes her stand out among college journalist but journalists in general.

I gladly left the chilly Nebraska climate to head off to sunny Tampa, Florida where I interviewed champion swimmer Maritza Correia. It was lunchtime, so we met up at The Columbia restaurant. This is the largest Spanish restaurant in the world and one of Maritza's favorite places to eat.

I worked a lot during All-Star weekend, but I also had the chance to check out New Orleans and have a little bit of fun.

In Nebraska we take things slow. We drive slow, we talk slow and we take months to plan a vacation. So you can imagine my surprise when I was told that I had two weeks to get a plane ticket and fly to New York City!

Monks from the Dreupung Monestary in Georgia travel around the world  constructing mandala sand paintings.