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#TBT: New GameDay host Rece Davis revisits his start with ESPN2’s SportSmash

Rece Davis on the set of ESPN2’s SportSmash updates in 1995. (Steve Fenn/ESPN Images)
Rece Davis on the set of ESPN2’s SportSmash updates in 1995. (Steve Fenn/ESPN Images)

College football and basketball studio show host Rece Davis will take over the hosting reins of ESPN College GameDay Built by The Home Depot this Saturday at 9 a.m. ET from Sundance Square in Fort Worth, Texas.

Davis began on ESPN2 in 1995 as part of the two-minute update segment SportSmash, during the show called SportsNight. The show served as a jumping off point for many ESPN personalities both past and present.

In this week’s #TBT, Davis shares his memories of that show, as well as what he’s looking forward to in his new role on College GameDay.

“To me, [SportSmash] was the most exciting two minutes in sports. We were all wearing denim — which we were told was sure to make us hip when combined with grunge graphics,” Davis recalled.

“Getting started as part of SportsNight with Stuart Scott, Suzy Kolber, Kenny Mayne, Bill Pidto and Deb Kaufman is a great memory. We were trying to carve out our place and we share a bond from that.”

As far as GameDay is concerned, “I’m always amped when the season starts. We’ve been talking and planning for so long. It’s time to do the show and I know it is going to be a great atmosphere,” said Davis.

“Personally, it’s an exciting new chapter of my career. I’m pleased to be part of such a great team and one that loves this sport the way I do.”

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