Elizabeth Merrill Archive
- Senior writer for ESPN.com
- Formerly at "The Kansas City Star" and "The Omaha World-Herald"
Geis' legacy alive through scholarship
Friends and family of former Nebraska softball player Julie Geis keep her memory alive through an endowed scholarship for native Nebraska players.
Sep 9 2:22 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Packers resist dynasty label
No such talk, even if core of championship team is intact as injured players return
Sep 9 9:33 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Brothers Omon, Nwagbuo finally meet
Brothers Omon, Nwagbuo had never met until Thursday night's preseason game in San Diego
Sep 2 5:06 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Omon, Nwagbuo find brotherly connection
For nearly 26 years, NFL player Xavier Omon felt as if he had half of a life. Then a message came that changed everything.
Sep 1 1:30 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Liz Cambage learning to embrace Tulsa
This might sound funny, but land-locked Tulsa, Okla., offers Liz Cambage something she can't get in Australia. It gives her the chance to be big.
Aug 30 | By Elizabeth Merrill
Vikings camp a crash course
Training Camp 2011 means cramming five months of a lost offseason into two weeks. Elizabeth Merrill visits the Minnesota Vikings' camp to see how the rookies and veterans are dealing with life after the NFL lockout.
Aug 12 12:55 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Austin Hatch surrounded by support
The Michigan basketball recruit from Indiana continues to make progress after surviving his family's second fatal plane crash. Still, friends and supporters wonder how much suffering one young man can handle.
Oct 10 2:22 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: In Omaha, life moves on
In Omaha, Rosenblatt is mostly forgotten as the TD Ameritrade Park era of the College World Series begins. But not everyone has moved on.
Jun 25 | By Elizabeth Merrill
Flooding in Omaha causes CWS concerns
Missouri River flooding has folks bracing for problems in downtown Omaha near TD Ameritrade Park, site of this year's College World Series. City officials say downtown is dry and safe and that the CWS will go on as planned.
Jun 17 9:39 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Cleveland fans celebrate LeBron losing
Champagne flowed out of shot glasses. People in Cleveland had to get up early for work Monday morning. They didn't care. LeBron James lost the NBA Finals.
Jun 13 7:07 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
NFL replacements part of history
A whole generation of fans doesn't know about them, or why asterisks appear alongside their names on the 1987 NFL rosters. But to the replacements, it doesn't matter. They're part of history.
Jun 9 5:04 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
The less glamorous life of Chris Bosh
His toughness has been tested. He's been called soft. The six-time NBA All-Star lost his identity as the go-to guy and has to concede to playing third fiddle to LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. But look now, Chris Bosh is playing for an NBA championship.
Jun 6 5:24 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Friends say NHL enforcer Boogaard felt pain, too
Long before NHL enforcer Derek Boogaard hit his head on the ice in December, the man who was paid to scare, intimidate and pummel his opponents was dealing with his own share of pain.
May 29 6:10 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
NFL Draft: Ryan Mallett focused on the future
Ryan Mallett seemingly has it all -- a 6-foot-7 frame, a cannon of an arm and 7,493 passing yards in a pro-style offense at Arkansas. So why are there still questions?
Apr 15 12:36 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
The beginnings of Brian Wilson
San Francisco Giants reliever Brian Wilson is known for his intelligence, focus and ability to keep things light. Where did he get all that? Elizabeth Merrill traces his roots.
Apr 8 12:46 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Maggie Dixon still revered for her impact
Five years after her death, the Army women's basketball coach continues to influence the lives of the people who knew her.
Apr 8 1:53 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
NFL draft: Blaine Gabbert not really the sharing type
The spotlight on Blaine Gabbert has grown increasingly bright -- he's battling Cam Newton, Ryan Mallett and Jake Locker to be the first quarterback selected in the NFL draft.
Mar 24 4:44 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
NFL Draft: Prince Amukamara embraces his defensive side
Prince Amukamara's passion was playing running back, but his skills as a defender are about to pave his path to the NFL.
Mar 18 10:06 AM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Poised Aaron Rodgers steadies Packers
In a chaotic Super Bowl, Aaron Rodgers' cool confidence was the difference for Green Bay, Elizabeth Merrill writes.
Feb 7 | By Elizabeth Merrill
Athletes immersed in social media
Of course there are things said in the heat of battle that a football player wishes he could take back. It's not so easy on Twitter or other social networking sites.
Feb 8 3:32 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
The journey to meet Mike Tomlin
Mike Tomlin is going for Pittsburgh's seventh Lombardi trophy. In honor of that, here are seven perspectives of a man who, in some ways, is difficult to get to know.
Feb 3 4:39 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Rodgers knows the value of winding down
No doubt Aaron Rodgers is all business this week as he and the Packers prepare to face Pittsburgh in the Super Bowl. But the Green Bay quarterback also knows the value of unwinding.
Feb 1 1:13 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
McCarthy's roots deep in Steelers country
How does it feel to be Mike McCarthy? To be days away from the game he's dreamed about his whole life? To be playing that game against the franchise that made him love football?
Jan 27 12:41 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Roethlisberger works to earn trust back
Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, his supporters say, has grown up. He had to. The face of the Steelers franchise stood at the precipice of losing everything this past spring.
Jan 20 2:49 PM ET | By Elizabeth Merrill
Merrill: Keisel's beard 'lives on'
Brett Keisel's now-legendary beard isn't going anywhere -- as long as the Steelers keep winning -- writes Elizabeth Merrill.
Jan 17 | By Elizabeth Merrill
Columnists
Mechelle Voepel
- Voepel: Baylor's ready for the Big Dance
(03/11/2013) - Voepel: Aggies wait their turn, lead Texas A&M to SEC crown
(03/10/2013)
Michelle Smith
- Smith: Stanford, UConn prepare for 1-2 showdown
(12/27/2012) - Smith: Clarendon nets 28 to drive Cal past Kansas
(12/22/2012)
Sarah Spain
- Spain: Packers tune in when C.J. Wilson plays the piano
(12/14/2012) - Jane & Spain: NFL Storylines
(12/13/2012)
Jane McManus
- McManus: Roddick owns the moment
(08/31/2012) - McManus: Do attractive athletes have more incentive to excel?
(08/31/2012)
Graham Hays
- Hays: The secrets of Geno's success
(03/19/2013) - Hays: Fighting Irish face tough road to Final Four
(03/18/2013)
