Ethan Anderson was just seven years old when he began assisting his father, Gary Anderson, during a 29-year career as the athletic department’s sports information director.
Ethan pitched for the Mavericks from 1992 to ’95 and then became a second-generation Anderson to join the athletic department when he was hired in 2009 as UNO’s Operations Coordinator. Four years later, he was elevated to Assistant Athletic Director in charge of event management. His Sapp Fieldhouse office is the same one his dad occupied until retiring in 2008, so he immediately felt right at home.
“I was the oldest of four kids,” Ethan said. “My dad had me running the scoreboard for baseball games. I was working the football scoreboard in 1985, and I was a ball boy for basketball games.”
Ethan didn’t stop helping, even while he was attending UNO. He spent 13 years as a volunteer and in his current position was recognized with the Nebraska Board of Regents Kudos Award.
During his early years as the athletic department’s publicist, Gary Anderson relied on Ethan and his three siblings (twin brothers and a sister) to help – especially once Maverick hockey began as a Division I sport in 1997. Gary was highly involved in start-up discussions and even took on the added task of directing season-ticket sales.
A big fan of watching the Omaha Knights as a youngster (he was a year old when he attended his first game), Anderson was excited about UNO starting hockey – even though it would add even more to his busy workload.
“I was charged up,” he said, “but it was the hardest I ever worked. It was just non-stop. But the driving thing was how neat this was.”
On top of his many duties, Anderson served three stints as interim athletic director. Three years before retiring, he was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors Association Hall of Fame.
Ethan said he wasn’t pushed into helping his dad at work. He enjoyed it, and he’s happy in his job that has him splitting his time between Sapp Fieldhouse and Baxter Arena, where he plays multiple management roles. Having his dad as a mentor of sorts made for a smooth entry into his new job.
“I lived it with dad,” Ethan said. “At some point, I was going to end up here. It was meant to be.”
Ethan’s wife Tracie joined the Omaha Athletics team in 2011 after working at UNO for 20 years. The two-time UNO alum has served the past ten years as Assistant Registrar, Athletic Certification.The two have passed along the love for their alma mater to their children, Ainsley and Beckett. Ainsley, a freshman at UNO, has joined the family business working as an Omaha Athletics student worker helping with the hockey ice crew, scoreboard and official review.
Ainsley as a UNO athlete is the cherry on top of the cake.
As she was completing her first year of cross country and track, Ainsley said she’s totally at home at UNO.
“Growing up, I went to preschool here, I went to summer camps here and I helped my dad,” she said. “I spent so much time growing up here.”
As a third-generation Anderson at UNO (majoring in environmental science), Ainsley wouldn’t be surprised if someday her children will land at UNO.
“I think it’s possible,” she said.
