Nancy Justis, Senior Editor

At a time when women were a virtual non-entity in the athletics media relations field, Nancy Justis blazed the trail. She was named the University of Northern Iowa’s first full-time Assistant Sports Information Director in 1976 and was promoted to Director three years later. With over 30 years experience in publicizing the Panthers’ nationally-recognized men’s basketball and football teams and working with student athletes, she also mentored hundreds of student assistants during her tenure as UNI’s Sports Information Director/Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations.

She served as an Assistant Venue Press Chief for two sports at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and for yachting at the 1987 Pan American Games hosted by Indianapolis. Justis has received countless publications awards from the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), including first place at the national 1-AA level for the 2004 UNI football media guide. She served as Chair of CoSIDA’s Career Enhance-ment Committee for several years and was also a founding member of the Northeast Iowa Chapter of Women in Communications, Inc.

Justis is owner of NancyJ Communications, a consulting business for high school athletics directors, coaches and student athletes.

“Over the years when I’ve been asked to name the ‘best’ professor I had at UNI, my answer is Nancy Justis. (She) gave me more than knowledge, (she) gave me opportunity. Few earn the position to offer opportunity to others." Troy Dannen, University of Northern Iowa Athletics Director

Joyce Barbatti, Business Manager

Joyce Barbatti’s career can best be described as “eclectic.” Although she has been involved in many organizations and companies, two constant ingredients have been writing and athletics.  Her love of sports took root at the University of Northern Iowa in the UNI-Dome Event office, and continued when she became Athletics Development Coordinator for the UNI Athletic Club (now the Panther Scholarship Club).  The club grew to record numbers of supporters and dollars under her leadership.
After UNI, Barbatti continued in communications, creating and editing newsletters for companies such as Tiedt Nursery, VMF Financial, AMR Combs and others.  She edited the book Ethical and Legal Issues for Imaging Professionals by Doreen Towsley-Cook and Terese Young, was a travel columnist for the local Attitudes for Women magazine and currently is editorial assistant with BaHar Publishing in Waterloo.
Her own creations include the former community award-winning Dynamic Woman newsletter and a self-published 180-page family history, Barbatti Familia -- Food, Fun and Memories -- 2006.  To also satisfy her love of sports, Barbatti edited and published the Panther Pride newsletter for the UNI football program and created and has presented “Football Fun for Women” classes since 1997, which include her own playbook. Her passion for UNI athletics continues as a volunteer fundraiser for the Panther Scholarship Club, serving as the only two-term Fund Drive Chair and President of the Club.  As an avid life-long learner, Barbatti hones her skills through writing courses and classes. Her sports writing is a natural fit for The Cedar Valley Athlete.

“Joyce Barbatti's writing reflects her personality: engaging, insightful and witty. Readers, enthralled by her multiple interests and extensive knowledge, beg for more.”  Jacquie McTaggart, Author: From the Teacher's Desk; Writing Instructor: "Get Ready, Get Writing, Get Published"

“I would like to offer my sincere congratulations to Joyce Barbatti on the new magazine. I have known Joyce for over 10 years and there are very few athletes, male or female, who understand not only the intricacies of play, but also the human spirit that is involved in the execution of any sport, as Joyce. She has always displayed the passion to prepare, and undeniably shows the exhilaration of success. She is the consummate team player. I am confident the magazine will be a true success!”  Thomas V. Darden, The Darden Group, 1st Round Draft Pick Cleveland Browns (1972-1981); All Pro Cleveland Browns  (1978)

“Joyce Barbatti is a devoted sports fan that has a true passion about the impact athletics can have. She understands the past history and studies the current events making her one of the most informed women in local sports. Joyce makes a difference because she cares about the community and relationship of sport to the community. She has a passion to write that is equaled by her passion for sport.  The feelings are evident in her work.”
Mark Farley, Head Football Coach, University of Northern Iowa