San Francisco, CA -- Academy of Art University has produced countless industry professionals since 1929 and now one former student-athlete has her chance to go the distance at the NFL Network. Hannah Otey, an Urban Knight track & field thrower the previous two years, finds herself with an exciting opportunity working as a ticker where she handles breaking news, stats, scores, injury reports, and headlines from around the National Football League that all run continuously on the bottom of the screen. Much like an intercollegiate sport season, her story of achieving success featured a rollercoaster of emotion.

“I felt ecstatic when I received the news about the job,” Otey said. “I got a call about coming in for an interview the week before Christmas. So the day came and I arrived at the network ready to knock 'em dead. I first sat down with a man who asked me about what I accomplished at school and in my experience interning at KGO and KABC. Then it was time to take the football knowledge test. Growing up as an athlete, I came from a football household and watched the San Diego Chargers all my life, so I answered to my best ability and left it at that. I talked with a few more people and they told me they would be in contact with me."

"As Christmas passed and the New Year was approaching, I still hadn't heard anything," Otey recalled. "I was only left to think that I failed miserably on the knowledge test. I prayed about the job and was content with knowing that if this is where God needed me to be, he would open a door. On December 30th, I received a call from the network saying they were excited to have me onboard and that I received the job as a ticker. Not to be confused with the kicker! After I hung up the phone, all I could think about was thank you Jesus for this opportunity and... I WORK FOR THE NFL!”

The excitement of the good news became further amplified by the fact that Otey's father, Lester, was also celebrating his birthday that same day.

“My dad was the one to take me to all the NFL games I've been to and he's talked sports with me throughout my life,” Otey said before describing the scene. “So as my mom, dad, aunt, and a couple of cousins gathered for dinner, I told them I was drafted into the NFL. They were ecstatic as well and proud of me.”

As a Multimedia Communications major in a “one-of-a-kind program” at Academy of Art University, Otey has been able to pursue her dream of becoming a sports broadcaster. In addition, she has had the privilege of working with Jan Yanehiro, the Director of Multimedia Communications and a broadcast journalist famous for her role co-hosting “Evening Magazine” for 15 years on KPIX TV-CBS5 in San Francisco. Yanehiro along with Director of Athletics Dr. Jamie Williams have both been guides for Otey throughout her journey.

“Through Jan Yanehiro and her staff's tutelage and wisdom, I'm not surprised that student-athlete, Hannah Otey, is prepared to offer value and expertise to the NFL Network,” Dr. Williams said. “Our Multimedia Communications department rocks! Hannah contributed greatly to our track & field program during its infancy, but it's her ability to be 'employable' in the applied art of media that broadcasts the mantra 'Be Artist. Be Athlete.'  No pun intended. Go Urban Knights!”

Otey spent two years with the ART U track & field team, coming on as a junior from Mira Costa College in 2010. A talented thrower, Otey single-handedly pioneered the Urban Knights' competition in the shot put and discus events. She currently holds all-time program records in the outdoor versions of these disciplines (36-1.5 in shot put, 115-11 in discus) as well as one from the indoor (34-0.75 in shot put).

“What Hannah has accomplished in her short time here is exactly why athletes are starting to flock to this program,” head track & field/cross country coach Charles Ryan said. “Our athletes get jobs, real jobs, in professions that they are most passionate about. Some athletes set precedents on the track and that's great. Hannah has now set the precedent for what can be accomplished in the classroom, and she represents what every athlete should be pursuing. ART U track and field will no doubt have many headlines this year and in the future, but not one of them will be more important than this message. We are extremely proud of Hannah and I can only hope that her example serves as a standard that all our current and future athletes choose to duplicate.”

“I think [joining the NFL Network] is a great opportunity to show my teammates and fellow athletes at the Academy of Art University that you can work hard during your time in school and play hard when competing and, in the end, know that God has a plan for your life,” Otey said. “You have to believe that.”

When looking back on her time as an Urban Knight on the track, Otey pinpointed one particular outing which taught her a valuable lesson not only as an athlete, but also for life: believe in yourself and you can do anything.

“At the 2011 Mt. SAC/Beach Invitational in Los Angeles, I was excited to be back in Southern California and a few of my family members were coming to see me throw,” Otey reminisces. “The pressure was on. We hit the weights hard that week at practice and I had been implementing the spin technique into my form. It was the day of the meet and time to begin warming up to throw. I went to my coach and told him I was going to spin for my first three throws. He agreed and told me to relax, have fun, and throw far. That meet I had a personal record and flew back to San Francisco blessed."

"Being a thrower is great," Otey continued. "I think anyone that has thrown the shot put and discus at a competitive level understands that it takes a lot of hard work and determination to throw at your best ability. I worked hard in the weight room and tried to set an example to my teammates on and off the field.”

Otey represents a new wave of artist-athletes on the horizon. As Academy of Art University approaches the completion of its fourth year of athletics, this opportunity Otey has to work for a world-renowned organization like the NFL Network is the first of what will surely be many bright futures for the Urban Knights.

“I know everything I learned growing up about sportsmanship and your character will help me advance my career within the NFL Network because I know that pressure, hard work, determination and prayer can get you through any athletic hurdle and life,” Otey said. “I thank God, my family, the Multimedia Communications department, my coaches, the athletic department staff, and my teammates for pushing me to be the person I am today.”