Nicole Haase enters Jeopardy with a long and impactful career as a freelance journalist specializing in women’s sports, particularly women’s hockey. Based in Milwaukee and originally from Glendale, Wisconsin, she has spent more than two decades reporting on the athletes, stories, and communities that often go under-covered in mainstream sports media. Her work appears across major outlets such as BBC, ESPNW, Sports Illustrated, MLS.com, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, SBNation, and many others. She is one of the few writers at SBNation who exclusively covers women’s college hockey, making her an important voice in a growing and increasingly visible sport.

Her reporting extends far beyond local coverage. Nicole has traveled internationally to report on IIHF U18 Women’s World Championships across Europe, providing on-the-ground storytelling and photography from events that rarely receive widespread coverage. Her journalism reflects not only deep knowledge of hockey but also a broader interest in the intersections of sports, culture, gender equity, and media representation. Her writing style blends clear reporting with empathetic storytelling, something she attributes to being a “grammar-obsessed storyteller” driven to capture people’s experiences in their own words.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urVrlZk3T64

An Early Foundation in Journalism and a Career Shaped by Adaptability

Nicole first discovered her love of writing early in life. She graduated from Nicolet High School in 1999 and continued to Loyola University New Orleans, where she studied print journalism, communications, and Spanish, earning her degree in 2003. Her time in Louisiana had a profound effect on her personal and professional growth. When Hurricane Katrina hit in 2005 and dramatically altered life in New Orleans, she returned to Wisconsin, where she continued to build a multifaceted career.

Her post-college years included roles in communications, bakery operations, pastry work, and food administration, giving her a versatile background across industries. She later studied baking and pastry at Waukesha County Technical College, a shift that underscores her adaptability and her passion for creative work. Ultimately, she transitioned full-time into freelance reporting, blending her journalistic skills with her experience in customer-facing and creative roles. These varied chapters of her life shaped her empathetic, people-focused approach to storytelling.

A Career Spanning Media, Communication, and Community Engagement

Nicole’s journalism career includes contributions to major national and international sports platforms. She has written extensively for BBC, ESPNW, SI.com, SBNation, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, CWHL.ca, and other prominent outlets. She is also a founding writer for TheVictoryPress.com, a site focused on women’s sports coverage. Her portfolio includes coverage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, NCAA women’s hockey tournaments, and international IIHF competitions. She has also appeared as an expert commentator and advocate for gender equity in sports.

Outside her writing career, Nicole works part-time as a school secretary at Oconomowoc High School, a role she began in 2020. This position allows her to stay rooted in her community while continuing her freelance career. Her experience across journalism and school administration highlights her strong organizational skills, communication abilities, and commitment to supporting young people in and out of the sports world.

A Personal Journey Toward Jeopardy and Lifelong Curiosity

Nicole’s recent national spotlight comes from her appearance on Jeopardy!, a show she has watched nightly with her husband, Andy, for many years. Their relationship began through a shared high school friend group, and the two have been married for eleven years. Her path to the Jeopardy stage involved online tests, Zoom interviews, mock games, and finally a trip to California for filming—a process she approached with the same diligence and excitement she brings to her reporting.

Outside of work, Nicole enjoys traveling to attend sporting events around the world, reading widely, sewing, exploring Milwaukee’s food scene, and playing trivia. Her basset hound, Ripley, is a source of joy and often appears in her personal anecdotes online. Her broad set of interests reflects a lifelong curiosity—one that fuels her reporting and makes her well-suited to a quiz show built around wide-ranging knowledge.

A Voice for Under-Reported Stories and Women’s Sports Advocacy

More than anything, Nicole’s career is defined by a commitment to amplifying voices that often go unheard. Her journalism consistently spotlights female athletes, LGBTQ+ communities in sports, and the cultural contexts that shape athletic careers. Her reporting is known for its depth, its compassion, and its focus on fairness and representation. She remains dedicated to pushing for better, more consistent coverage of women’s sports in mainstream media.

With more than twenty years of experience and dozens of major publications to her name, Nicole stands out as a respected writer, thoughtful analyst, and passionate advocate for equity and inclusion in sports media. Her Jeopardy appearance reflects the intellectual curiosity and love of learning that drives both her career and her personal interests.

Nicole Haase — Profile Summary Table