Clayton State University Athletics

By Charlotte McCormack, Sports Information Feature Writer

Get To Know Jenny Dreasler (Video)
Jenny Dreasler Highlight Reel
Jenny Dreasler KHQA Bio
Jenny Dreasler Clayton State Bio

Former Clayton State women's soccer player Jenny Dreasler has made quite a name for herself in a short time in her home state of Illinois as an award-winning on-air journalist.
 
A native of Quincy, Illinois, Dreasler graduated from Clayton State in 2012 with a bachelor's degree in Communications and Mass Media Studies and was a four year starter for the Lakers. She didn't wait until graduation to begin her journalistic career, however, as she helped launch the first athletics video reporting program, Laker Zone, in the history of the department with the aim of bringing more attention to Laker athletics.
 
Upon graduation, Dreasler kicked off her post collegiate career at WGEM-TV in Quincy where she was hired full-time following the completion of her internship in 2012. She quickly showed her aptitude in the field and was hired by neighboring news station KHQA (Quincy, Ill.) for the role of Morning News Anchor. She now has the privilege of delivering the news to the people of her hometown every morning, which she describes as a rewarding experience.
 
Dreasler's accolades to date include one Mid-America Emmy award and two Edward R. Murrow awards. These are some of the most prestigious recognitions in journalism. In February of 2016, she entered the national spotlight as she was featured extensively on an episode of CBS' 48 Hours for a murder trial she had been covering at home in Quincy.
 
She was given an editorial credit as well as a talent credit for this work and described the experience as a career highlight. She fondly recalls receiving texts from former teammates the night it aired on national television and will be featured again in February 2017 when the second trial begins.
 
Now on to a burgeoning and award-winning on-air career, Dreasler remembers her alma mater fondly and knows how it helped her down her current path. In a recent conversation she recalled choosing Clayton State's Division II soccer program for its strong athletic history and financial benefits that set it apart from larger institutions.
 
Most important to her decision she said that Clayton State felt like home.
 
Describing her athletic department like "family", she looked back on valuable lessons learned from her time as a student-athlete. These included some of her fondest memories as a member of the Lakers women's soccer team, from a pickup game in a flooded sewer to away trips at the beach.
 
Dreasler firmly believes that soccer played a substantial role in her career. She found that the attitude instilled in her as a student-athlete was transferable to the professional world and, particularly, to her industry. For her, playing collegiate soccer helped her to become "coachable".
 
"You have to be able to have a thick skin and know how to be told that what you're doing is wrong, try it this way," said Dreasler. "You have to be ok with that. The same goes for TV".
 
In addition to hard work and perseverance she noted that Clayton State's requirement of an internship was key to her success after college. As an undergrad, Dreasler completed internships and work experience at WGEM-TV, her hometown news station, where she worked alongside her father, Brady Dreasler.
 
"If it weren't for that internship, I wouldn't be where I am today" added Dreasler.
 
Again speaking highly of her choice to attend Clayton State, Dreasler reflected on how smaller class sizes and more access to professors enabled her to gain the experience she would need in both the "real world" and her chosen profession. She also gives a great deal of credit to one of her professors in Dr. Randy Clark. His emphasis on a particular writing style especially helped prepare her for broadcast writing and her current career.
 
Dreasler is quick to admit that her success did not come overnight. Coming from a smaller school she found that it can be difficult to get someone to take a chance on you. She did find, however, that her engagement in the Clayton State University community proved to be vital in this regard as professors went to bat for her with positive recommendations.
 
As someone that worked her way up via the small school route, Dreasler gladly offers some advice to those that would follow in her footsteps, no matter their career goal.
 
"There is a tremendous importance to building relationships, gaining experience and following your own path," said Dreasler. "I didn't know where my path would take me but I knew that if I persevered and had patience through those first couple of years in the business that it would pay off. Everything adds up. It's not a sprint, it's a marathon."