(Joe Faraoni/ESPN Images)
EDITOR’S NOTE: Welcome to “Off Camera with. . .,” a Front Row series that introduces you to some of the studio anchors who have recently joined ESPN. Today we meet Jen Lada, who joined ESPN last July as an ESPN Digital Platform contributor. In the fall, she will be contributing to College GameDay as well as Mike & Mike and Baseball Tonight.
What is your favorite quote?
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” – Henry Ford
Do you have any hidden talents?
I can say the alphabet faster backward than most can say it forward. I am also a spectacular hula-hooper.
What is your favorite sports team?
Chicago Cubs. My 12-year-old dog is a Jack Russell terrier named Wrigley.
What are your favorite words of wisdom?
The best words of wisdom come from the Rudyard Kipling poem “If.” An excerpt:
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or, being hated don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise… you’ll be a man, my son.”
What is your favorite movie?
“Life Is Beautiful,” followed closely by “The Princess Bride.”
What is your favorite season?
Summer! I grew up on the water and spend so much of my childhood boating, tubing, skiing, swimming, etc.
What is your favorite family tradition?
For as long as I can remember, my family has gone out to dinner on St. Patrick’s Day. We’re not even Irish but it’s become an annual event and my favorite tradition.
What are your favorite TV shows?
“The Wonder Years,” but I’m all in on “Game of Thrones”; What Would You Do?; “The Affair”; Modern Family and “Billions.”
What’s one of your favorite childhood memories?
When our whole family – Mom, Dad, my three siblings and I – went to Atlanta for the 1996 Summer Olympics. We saw a few baseball games and track and field events but what I remember most was dancing in the streets with sports fans from all over the world. It was an incredible experience.
