Female sports broadcaster Lindsay McCormick has hosted live events ranging from Super Bowl XLIX to one of the most anticipated boxing matches ever, Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. She’s covered basketball, Sunday night football and even the AKC Eukanuba National Championship Dog Show.
McCormick graduated from Auburn University in Auburn, Ala. She is a great example of how trusting God, believing in your talents, chasing your passion and being committed to your goals can catapult you to success.
Q: How did you become interested in sports?
A: I grew up in a sports family, and I’m sure everybody says that. My family is full of huge sports fans. They’re obsessed. It’s really hard to comprehend how much we love sports.
My mom sends me play-by-play suggestions when I’m on the air covering a boxing match. My grandfather was a defensive end for the University of Illinois, and was drafted by the Washington Redskins. He was later involved with NASCAR. My brother got involved with Talladega (Speedway). I had to learn to love sports if I wanted to have anything in common with my dad, my brother and my grandpa.
Lindsay McCormick, a sports broadcaster, discusses a variety of topics with Roman Gabriel III during Super Bowl XLIX media days earlier this year. |
Q: When did you realize sports broadcasting was what you wanted to do in life?
A: I really didn’t know how God was going to use it in my future, but I knew I had a passion for sports. And I knew from a very young age that I wanted to be a broadcaster of some sort – whether it was news, entertainment or sports. I really didn’t put the two together until I got to college at Auburn.
Q: Tell us about your first real break into sports.
A: I was working for the school newspaper and TV station, and our sports director had to go out of town one weekend. He said, “Lindsay you know a lot about sports will you fill in for me on the sidelines at the Auburn game?”
I enjoyed it so much, that when he came back I would not let them take me off the sidelines.
I just told him, “Now I’m your partner, your co-host. This is what I’m going to be doing for the rest of my career at Auburn!”
Later that year, I worked the Auburn versus Louisiana State University game. ESPN was on the sidelines while I was working. I asked if they were hiring. They were, so they put me through the process. I started as an intern. Someone saw my audition tape, and the rest is kind of history.
Q: Women make up 50 percent of the NFL Super Bowl audience. What is happening with so many women getting involved passionately in sports?
A: I was telling my mom that when I went to the Super Bowl this last February, normally it’s guys that contact me or comment on my picks in dealing with their fantasy football team. Like, “Who should I draft this year?” But this time it was almost all women.
They would say, “My fantasy team did good this year. I took your advice.” It’s been really cool to see what women are doing in following sports today.
Q: You have worked for many sports networks, including ESPN. How has ESPN’s 24-hour presence changed the mindset of today’s players?
A: It’s about being flashy now. Back in the day it was all about perfecting fundamentals and about winning. Guys like (Panthers quarterback) Cam Newton understand that it’s more than a game.
He understands the entertainment value of football is not just about a game anymore.
It’s bigger than just winning or losing. You’re affecting other people’s lives.
Q: With the advent of Title IX protections years ago, that has opened the door for so many young ladies into sports. What are your thoughts about being in the broadcasting business regarding opportunities for women?
A: When I started about nine years ago, you had your staples in the business, such as Suzy Kolber (ESPN) and Pam Oliver (Fox Sports). There were a handful of women in the industry.
They had to work really, really hard to prove themselves. I feel like we still have to work to prove ourselves in this industry, but now you look around and see new women breaking into sports all the time.
It’s cool. I like it. I’m not one of those women who feels competitive towards other women. I want us all to succeed. There is a place for everyone to succeed.
Q: What would you tell young ladies that are out there or students who are trying to break into the sports business?
A: Don’t let criticism go to your heart. Do not take criticism personally.
There are going to be people on TV that don’t like you, and some who love you.
As long as you’re true to who you are, as long as I know that I am making God happy, my dad happy, that my family is proud of me. At the end of the day that’s all that matters to me.
Q: You are very visible on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. That can get interesting. How does that play out for you in this day of social networking?
A: I don’t care if I have people that don’t like me because of my fantasy picks for the NFL that weekend, or if I have haters on Twitter. As long as I know that I’m being true to myself. I can sleep well at night knowing that I’m serving God, and being useful to Him.
Q: You have had the opportunity to cover just about every sport: college and professional football, basketball, boxing and others. Is there a sport that you haven’t covered that you would like to cover?
A: Wimbledon (tennis) would be fun, maybe World Series baseball. I have been on sports shows where baseball was a topic, but never covered it directly. So I think baseball would be something I would like to cover.
Visit LindsayMcCormick.com.
(EDITOR’S NOTE – Roman Gabriel III is an evangelist and motivational speaker. Visit the Faith Family Sports website: fspn.net. Hear his Sold Out Sports Talk Radio program on American Family Radio in 200 cities nationally or streaming live at afr.net. Visit his website: soldouttv.com; Facebook: Roman Gabriel III; connect on Twitter: @romangabriel3rd. Contact at (910) 431-6483 or email: [email protected].)