3, 2, 1, go! As a TV producer, I have counted backward more times in my life than I ever thought I would! I have been with Altitude Sports, a regional sports network that is the TV home of the 2022 Stanley Cup champion Colorado Avalanche and the 2023 NBA champion Denver Nuggets for nearly 17 years. My career path to Altitude Sports could easily be described as a great opportunity that I almost didn't take.
While growing up, I always wanted to be a doctor – specifically a pediatrician. I was paralyzed from a rare virus, Transverse Myelitis, when I was nine months old. I'm currently 41 years old and lead a very independent, successful, and active life. I attribute that to the phenomenal medical care I received, and I aspired to do the same for others. But as I got older, I realized I might not be able to do the job at the level I would expect because of my paralysis. That's when I started to consider other career options.
Sports have always been a passion of mine since I was five years old. I can vividly remember watching Denver Broncos games with my dad every Sunday. Before I knew it, my dad and I were not just chatting about the game, but the specific storylines of the game. I wanted to know more about the players, the reasons why coaches ran the plays they did, the history between the two teams, etc.
After managing basketball & soccer and being on the newspaper & yearbook staff in high school, I decided to go to the University of Northern Colorado to study journalism. While in college, I produced and broadcasted a sports report on UNC's radio station, managed the women's basketball team, and was a member of the Young Alumni Leaders. I graduated with honors with a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communications with an emphasis in telecommunications.
Right before I graduated from UNC, I won the title of Ms. Wheelchair Colorado in 2004. While I was fulfilling the duties of my reign for a year, I still wanted to stay active in the sports journalism field. I was able to work as an intern with 9NEWS and WB2 News in Denver.
I also had the opportunity to meet the CEO of Altitude Sports at a fundraising event and told him about my career goals. I stayed in touch with him and about a year later I was offered an internship working for their Senior Producer. At first, I didn't want to take the internship. The stubborn side of me was thinking, "I already did two internships and now I'm ready to start getting paid!" I'm so grateful I did take it though, because that internship has now turned into a career that allows me to cover the sports teams I watched growing up.
Some of the shows that I've produced include Fantasy Football Hour, Let's Talk Sports with Vic Lombardi, and You Bet Tonight. I've produced pre- and post-game shows for the Colorado Avalanche & Denver Nuggets and games for the University of Denver as well. In addition to working for Altitude Sports, I also work for the Denver Broncos as a member of their PR Gameday staff and for the Colorado Rockies as a Video Production Specialist. Throughout my career I've had the privilege of covering the 2007 World Series, the Super Bowl 50 victory parade, the 2021 MLB All-Star Game, and the championship runs for both the Colorado Avalanche and the Denver Nuggets.
I will always be very grateful to Altitude Sports for giving me the opportunity to prove myself and my abilities. They have been very accommodating and even set up a producer station that allows me to do my job more efficiently and independently. I received the best compliment that I will never forget one day after wrapping up a show. I was told my one of our on-air talents that I have a great work ethic and I'm one of the best producers they have worked with. But what they said next is what meant the most. They said they don't even see me as being in a wheelchair, they just see Jenny.
About the author
Jenny Siegle is 41 and was paralyzed at nine months of age from Transverse Myelitis. She is an incomplete C4/C5 quadriplegic and uses a power wheelchair for her daily mobility. Jenny was the first child in the state of Colorado to get a power wheelchair when she was just two years old. She was originally paralyzed from the neck down, but has regained partial use of her upper body after many years of physical and occupational therapy. Jenny currently drives and lives independently in her own home. She graduated with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Northern Colorado in 2004.
She was Ms. Wheelchair Colorado in 2004, enjoys public speaking, is an active member of Unite4CRT, and is a disability advocate. As a disability advocate, Jenny has traveled to Washington, D.C. multiple times since 2009. She meets with members of Congress to discuss the importance of continues access to Complex Rehab Technology. Jenny was given the NRRTS Distinguished Service Award in 2020 for her advocacy efforts.
Please visit her website at jennysiegle.com for more information or to contact her.
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