When it comes to following the Milwaukee Bucks, what happens on the court is just a part of the story. There's the lessons learned in practice, the behind-the-scenes details, the personalities wearing the jerseys, the work in the community and so much more. And Zora Stephenson's job is to tell that entire story.
As the new sideline reporter for the Milwaukee Bucks, Stephenson fills in fans during broadcasts on what's happening on the court and off with the team – whether it's an injury update or something much more pleasant, like the Bucks' new pregame wrestling rituals. And while she may be in just her first season with the team, it's a job that in many ways her whole life has built up to.
Basketball's always been a part of Stephenson's life, including playing for four years at Elon University – setting the school's single-season three-point percentage record in the process. Afterward, she moved onto another passion: storytelling, working as a TV news reporter in Greenville, North Carolina and Denver, Colorado (where she won an Emmy). And now, as the Bucks' sideline and digital reporter, she gets to combine those passions into one.
Right before the holidays, OnMilwaukee culture editor Matt Mueller got to sit down with Stephenson to learn more about life with the Bucks, acclimating as a newcomer to Milwaukee, her love of journalism and shifting over from news to sports, and much more.
It's all inside this episode of "Over a Beer," an interview series that captures the high life in and around Milwaukee. The series is proudly presented by Miller Brewing Company and OnMilwaukee.
A life-long and passionate community leader and Milwaukeean, Jeff Sherman is a co-founder of OnMilwaukee.
He grew up in Wauwatosa and graduated from Marquette University, as a Warrior. He holds an MBA from Cardinal Stritch University, and is the founding president of Young Professionals of Milwaukee (YPM)/Fuel Milwaukee.
Early in his career, Sherman was one of youngest members of the Greater Milwaukee Committee, and currently is involved in numerous civic and community groups - including board positions at The Wisconsin Center District, Wisconsin Club and Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. He's honored to have been named to The Business Journal's "30 under 30" and Milwaukee Magazine's "35 under 35" lists.
He owns a condo in Downtown and lives in greater Milwaukee with his wife Stephanie, his son, Jake, and daughter Pierce. He's a political, music, sports and news junkie and thinks, for what it's worth, that all new movies should be released in theaters, on demand, online and on DVD simultaneously.
He also thinks you should read OnMilwaukee each and every day.
