Dani Welniak is the Sports Director for KCTV Channel 5
Faith, Family and Football. Those are how Dani Welniak prioritized her time. “I wouldn’t be where I am today without my faith in God.” From a bureau reporter covering high school sports in Dodge City, Kansas to the Sports Director at KCTV5 in Kansas City. It’s been a thrilling journey that Welniak says couldn’t have been possible without the hands on experience she received while attending OSU and the Sports Media program. “I was able to hit the ground running when I graduated because I had already done everything KWCH in Wichita was asking of me. I had written for the O’Colly, called football games, learned how to shoot, produce, report and meet deadlines in my classes and for the Sports Media Club. I was involved in everything and working every sporting event because my professors put me in a position to succeed. They gave me a microphone and said “Go”. I encourage students coming into the program to get their hands dirty and seize every opportunity presented to you. Fear is not an excuse. And be willing to go anywhere. Your first job might not be everything you’d expected or glamorous. But I promise you, it will be worth it.” Welniak played women’s professional football before and while attending OSU for the Dallas Diamonds. She helped her team win the Super Bowl in 2008 and played on the first Team USA women’s football team who went on to win a gold medal in Sweden in 2010. On top of that, she is a 3x Pro Bowl Selection and 2007 Rookie of the Year. On her way to becoming the Sports Director at KCTV5, she also was the sideline reporter/analyst for the Kansas City Chiefs Radio Network from 2016-2019. Her most recent accomplishment...becoming part of the first all-female radio crew to call an FBS bowl game on December 21st, 2019. She served as the color analyst alongside Jamie Seh and Melanie Newman. “But none of that is possible without God, my Husband and my Mom. They have been there every step of the way, supporting me through the trials, the failures and the victories...and trust me there have been a lot more of the first two than the last.”