Meet Alex Cloyd, Media Director at Nebraska USA Wrestling (nebraskausawrestling.org).

Tell us a little about your business. – Nebraska USA Wrestling (NEUSAW) is the governing body for the sport of Olympic-style wrestling in the state of Nebraska. We are parented by the organization “USA Wrestling.” We are the main wrestling organization in the state of Nebraska. We run tournaments at the state and national level, and put together national teams to send to other National Tournaments.

How did you get started in the business? – I wrestled from ages three to 18 and was an undefeated Nebraska State Champion in 2016. I majored in graphic design at the University of North Dakota where I also played football. When I graduated from college and came back to Omaha, I was looking for a job to go into in the graphic design field. NEUSAW was looking to hire a Media Director to run their social media and photograph/cover all of the top athletes across the state. I applied immediately and got the job.

What is the biggest challenge you’ve faced professionally? – Working in social media taught me that you cannot please everyone with your content. People are very quick to share their opinions on your social media platforms in the comments, and they do not hold back at all. Another thing I had to learn was how to conduct good interviews, especially with athletes and coaches that are not very talkative.

What has been your most important achievement professionally? – Raising our follower count on our Facebook page by 13,000 people in two years of time by creating quality content with my photography, videography, graphic work, etc.

Tell us a little about your family. – I was born and raised in Omaha. My father works as the Dean of Student Services at a community college in town and also DJ’s weddings on the weekends. My mother is a mental health/drug addiction Therapist who recently started her own private practice. My older brother just graduated from Brown University’s Medical school and is now in residency to become a doctor.

What do you see as one of the biggest turning points in your life? – Graduating from college and no longer being a student-athlete was a big change in my life. I was training to compete at the NFL level. One week before my pro day, my opportunities were taken away from me when COVID shut the world down in 2020. After playing sports all of my life, I struggled with my self-identity for a little bit. I had to figure out who I was now that sports were no longer part of my everyday routine. I had to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. That is when I stumbled across my current job.

What is your favorite thing to do on a day off? – Relaxing and watching a good movie, playing video games or going outside on a nature walk.

What is your greatest talent that you don’t utilize in your daily work life? – I really enjoy the art of cooking. My parents ask me to cook for them more often than they cook for themselves.

What is your favorite local Omaha restaurant? – Coneflower Creamery has the best homemade ice cream ever!

If our readers would like to contact you, how should they do so? – media@neusaw.com | nebraskausawrestling.org.