From 1998 to 2001, Vanessa Dennis produced gems in the net for the Bobcats. Nowadays, she’s directing the action in a different field, and she knows a gem when she sees one.
As a standout goalkeeper for Ohio soccer, Dennis became the school’s all-time leader in shutouts and now she is the art director for web properties at PBS NewsHour’s Washington D.C. bureau.
Dennis came to Ohio University for the photojournalism program but wound up gravitating more toward technological aspects offered in the visual communication program.
“I chose OU for the photojournalism school but ended up deciding that I liked the computer side better,” Dennis said.
Dennis worked in information technology at the Gannett-owned Chronicle-Tribune in Grant County, Ind. before ending up with NewsHour.
As a player, Dennis had one of the best seasons for a goalkeeper in program history. In 1998, Dennis posted 11 shutouts in 22 games as the team won a share of the Mid-American Conference title. Dennis holds the record for most saves in a season (111), most saves in a career (284), and is second in career shutouts (18).
Dennis said 1998 was a fun year and that they were able to dominate the league.
“Most of us were freshmen, we were just having fun,” Dennis said. “I played with some other great players.”
Dennis joined Mindy Boggs, Marie LaGuardia, Nicki Pendleton and Lori Spitler in earning postseason honors after the 1998 season.
Dennis said everything came together in that season. A combination of good health and good players made it all happen.
Ohio coach Stacy Strauss coached Dennis during her final two seasons in Athens and said having her as one of the strongholds of the defense was very important.
“She was perfect,” Strauss said. “She was, before I arrived, already a terrific player and had a very successful freshman year where she was regional all-American and also a MAC champion. She was an impact player for four years. Anytime you win championships in your career, that’s a great player.”
Strauss said Dennis made a real commitment between her junior and senior year to get fit and the improvements she made in her game made her more mobile and able to cover the entire goal.
With Dennis in net, the Bobcats won their first outright title in 2001, posting a 10-2 record in the conference.
She added that having goalkeepers like Dennis and Michelle Meglaughlin aided in bringing new recruits as well.
“It was great to have the first real goalkeeper leave on such a high caliber and be able to recruit additional goalies and bring them into that environment was a real plus,” Strauss said.
Current Bobcat goalkeeper Mattie Liston shed light on how difficult it is to be a collegiate goalkeeper.
“The goalkeeper is a multidimensional position. There’s playing with your feet, playing with your hands, and knowing what to do in your head,” Liston said. “Truly one of those positions where you have to be more concentrated than ever, as soon as you lose your concentration, you could make a mistake.”
Entering her junior season, Liston has 10 shutouts to her credit and is on pace to be the career leader in shutouts after she graduates. She said she does pay attention to the records but winning is at the forefront of her mind.
Dennis pays attention to records, as well, and although she is rooting for Ohio to win, she would like to see some of her records stand.
Dennis bought a house this year and resides in the northwest area of Washington D.C with her partner. She continues to work with NewsHour.
nr225008@ohiou.edu
