By Dale Singer
Ask Terrell McKinney, ’14, how his wrestling days at Maryville compare with his current life as a member of the Nebraska Legislature, and his response comes quickly.
McKinney, who graduated from Maryville in 2014 with a degree in sport business management, ended up on campus as a wrestler after transferring in 2011 from the University of Nebraska. He went on to earn a master’s degree in business administration from Midland University, worked as a community organizer and is currently a part-time law student at Creighton University. He also coaches high school wrestling.
If that schedule doesn’t make him busy enough, McKinney also won election to the Nebraska Legislature in the fall of 2020. At age 30, McKinney is one of only two African American men in the unicameral legislative body, representing District 11 in historic North Omaha. “Our state legislature has a massive need for more young voices, especially from underserved communities, to give proper attention to 21st century challenges unapologetically,” McKinney said.
As he learns how to maneuver through the legislative process, he sees distinct parallels to his wrestling matches. “In wrestling,” he explained, “you deal with individuals from all walks of life, so I think I have a better understanding of different individuals, which is great. You have to talk to other senators and build relationships and try to find some commonalities with different districts and try to make it work.”
In his successful campaign, McKinney focused on issues like economic equity and opportunity, criminal justice reform, education and access to health care. He also wants to address food insecurity and the situations that result in hunger for many working families.
Coming to Maryville from his native Nebraska, McKinney found that the transition from a large campus to a smaller one required a similar period of adjustment, but he says it definitely was a positive change. “It was kind of a culture shock,” he said. “My time at Maryville helped mold me into the man I am today. I had never lived away from home. I was just learning to grow up and do more things for myself. I enjoyed my time there, and it will always be a part of me.”
