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ESPN sideline reporter Heather Cox will be on the call Thursday when Oregon takes on Florida State in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
Cox has been a reporter for 20 years and has covered a variety of sports.
Here’s what you need to know about her:
1. Cox Covered Beach Volleyball at The Olympics
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Having played volleyball in her time at Stockton, California’s University of the Pacific, Cox has an in-depth background with the sport. In 2004, she covered beach volleyball at the Athens Olympics.
Regarding her background in volleyball, Cox told The Big Lead, “I think my perspective as a former athlete helps me judge the appropriate way to read certain situations and to understand what they’re going through and to read the moment.”
2. She Became ESPN’s Sideline Reporter for College Football in 2012
Always a treat to see one of my all time favs David Robinson- tonight better known as @NotreDame Corey Robinson’s dad pic.twitter.com/twvjqIdHRU
— Heather Cox (@heatherespn) October 19, 2014
Cox replaced the former sideline reporter, Erin Andrews, who left for Fox Sports. She has since covered multiple collegiate match-ups and interviewed hundreds of players. This year’s Rose Bowl will be the second she has covered, as she tackled the 2014 Bowl between the Michigan State Spartans and the Stanford Cardinal.
Before covering college football, she reported on several varied sports. The main ones were professional basketball, college basketball, and professional volleyball.
3. She Has 2 Children With Her Husband Bill
Twitter/@heatherespn
Cox and her husband Bill both played sports while they were at college in Northern California–she played volleyball, he played football. The two have a daughter and a son together.
When asked by parenting website Babble if she can fit in going to see her kids’ school activities, she said that she works almost every Saturday covering games, so she can’t make her daughter’s soccer games. However, she does go to every single practice she can in order to make up for it.
4. Jameis Winston Walked Away From an Interview With Her
After the Dec. 7, 2013, Florida State game against Duke, Cox asked FSU quarterback Jameis Winston about the sexual assault allegations he was then facing. She asked him four questions regarding the allegations, and after the fourth one, Winston walked away. Winston’s lawyer demanded an apology from Cox over Twitter, but never received one.
@heatherespn when u realize ur actions were improper u can make amends. Please write me a note to Jameis and his family to apologize.
— Tim Jansen (@rtimjansen) December 8, 2013
Six hours has passed and I have not received any note, message, call or other correspondence from Ms Cox. I will update if she writes.
— Tim Jansen (@rtimjansen) December 8, 2013
The charges against Winston were later dropped, and Cox said that the decision to discuss them with him was one she and her producers made together.
5. Cox Is a Former Member of the U.S. National Volleyball Team
Twitter/@heatherespn
Cox played volleyball at the University of the Pacific, which was ranked top five nationally every year of her career. The team made it to the national championship match in 1990.
She was also a part of the U.S. Women’s Volleyball Team from 1987 to 1995. In 1990, she competed at the United States Olympic Festival. In 2004 she was recognized for her achievements in volleyball and received the USA Volleyball E. Douglas Boyden Media Recognition Award.
