It seems like only yesterday the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division I Basketball Championships began and dozens of teams were full of hopes of surviving March Madness.
This weekend, as the Final Fours play out in Glendale, Ariz., and Dallas, respectively, only seven schools remain standing: South Carolina, which is represented in both; Gonzaga; Oregon; North Carolina; Stanford; Mississippi State and UConn.
ESPN counts several commentators and executives among the company employees who are alumni of the remaining schools in the Final Fours. A few of them shared their thoughts and favorite relevant photos with Front Row.
In addition to those with school ties pictured in this gallery, other ESPN notables from the Final Four schools include: ESPN President John Skipper, a North Carolina alum; Senior Vice President, College Networks, Programming, Rosalyn Durant, graduated from South Carolina; Ramona Shelburne, an NBA Insider and ESPN senior writer, and Jessica Mendoza, MLB analyst, are Stanford grads and former softball stars at The Farm; soccer commentator, features reporter and host Julie Foudy also starred at Stanford; women’s college basketball analyst Rebecca Lobo helped lay the foundation for the UConn dynasty.
Earlier today on Front Row, SportsCenter anchor Neil Everett discussed his emotional ties to both Oregon and Gonzaga. Watch for his essay on the subject on the 1 a.m. ET SportsCenter.
Amy Phillips, Katina Arnold, Bill Hofheimer, Allie Stoneberg, Jennifer Christie and Kim Elchlepp contributed to this post.
EVP & Chief Technology Officer, ESPN, Aaron LaBerge
South Carolina
“Growing up in South Carolina you’re either a Gamecock or a Tiger. It’s that simple. As a young boy, I knew The University of South Carolina was for me the first time I visited Williams-Brice Stadium. I’ve been a Gamecock ever since. I remember attending the 1995 Carquest Bowl — at the time it was South Carolina’s first bowl win in over 100 years of college football. And today the men’s and women’s basketball teams are both headed to the Final Four — another first in school history. Amazing! It’s great to be a Gamecock!”
Josina Anderson, National NFL Insider/Reporter
North Carolina
Josina Anderson, who competed in the 200 and 400-meter sprints as a track and field student-athlete at North Carolina, discusses her Tar Heel fandom. “Last year was my first Final Four and it was quite an experience because I haven’t even been back to my alma mater since I graduated due to work and my career. I am still a diehard fan of Carolina basketball, football and the school’s other athletic teams. I’m excited that I get to go back to support my team as they attempt to complete the redemption tour after Kris Jenkins of Villanova took away our dream so painfully last year in Houston.”
EVP, ESPN Digital and Print Media, John Kosner
Stanford
(Photo courtesy of John Kosner/ESPN)
“As a boy I dreamed of going to Stanford University. The first college football game I watched featured Stanford with Jim Plunkett beating Ohio State in the 1970 Rose Bowl. I thought Stanford was in Pasadena! What is most amazing about Stanford is the sheer diversity of championship sports teams and super talented athletes. No program there is better than Stanford women’s basketball, coached expertly for the past 32 years by the nonpareil Tara VanDerveer. Stanford is the last school to beat UConn. And the next one to do it!”
Molly Qerim, host, First Take
UConn
“Shout out to the UConn ladies. Let’s do what we what do and that’s win!”
VP Technical Product Management, Damon Phillips
Stanford
“If you are friends with me on Facebook, you know that most of my posts revolve around three topics — my kids, bear sightings in rural Connecticut and Stanford sports. The two Stanford teams that I follow most closely are the football and women’s basketball teams. I played football at Stanford back in the day. I also grew up in the Bay Area and became a Stanford women’s basketball fan during the Jennifer Azzi era when Stanford won its first NCAA title. Whenever the women’s team is on the east coast I try to see them play in person. The last game I attended was a Thanksgiving tournament last season in southwest Florida. Stanford won of course!”
Jeff Saturday, NFL analyst
North Carolina
(Joe Faraoni/ ESPN Images)
“I take great pride in the education and athletic programs at Carolina. Across the board – lacrosse, football, basketball – these teams are a ton of fun to watch. On game day at the Saturday household, everyone is a Tar Heel! My kids, my parents and my in-laws will be decked out in Carolina blue.”
VP, Advertising and Marketing Intelligence, Kelly Johnson
Oregon
“Being a Duck fan in my family is inevitable. I started going to Duck basketball games before I was even born. The roar of Mac Court – and Autzen Stadium – is embedded in my DNA. Thanks Mom and Go Ducks!”
VP and EP, ESPN Films and Original Content, John Dahl
North Carolina
“Growing up outside of Washington, D.C., I was a huge Maryland basketball fan and I didn’t like North Carolina at all. Even after I moved to Charlotte when I was 12, I was still all in on the Terps. But when I went looking for a college a few years later and got accepted to Carolina, let’s just say my perspective changed.”
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