Lauren Sisler

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Lauren Sisler
Born (1984-10-10) October 10, 1984 (age 39)[1]
Alma materRutgers University
Occupation(s)Sports Reporter, Journalist
EmployerESPN

Lauren Sisler is a sports broadcaster who joined ESPN and SEC Network in 2016 as a sideline reporter for both college football and gymnastics. In 2017, she became a reporter for SEC Nation. In addition, she continues to serve as a sports reporter and host at AL.com.[2][3]

Early life and education[edit]

Sisler is a native of Roanoke, Virginia, she graduated from Giles High School, the same high school where future ESPN co-worker Marty Smith (reporter) attended.[4] She was the captain of her gymnastics team at Rutgers University and graduated in 2006 with a communication degree and honors from the School, Information and Library Studies (SCILS). She worked at the Rutgers University Television Network as a sports reporter and segment producer and had an internship at CNBC.[5] Initially, she majored in Sports Medicine before changing to Communications.[6]

Career[edit]

Prior to working at ESPN, Sisler returned to her hometown of Roanoke, Virginia to start her career at WDBJ where she worked as a photographer and editor covering local high school and college sports before moving on to WTAP in West Virginia as a weekend sports anchor.[5] Sisler then moved to Birmingham, Alabama to work at the CBS affiliate WIAT.[2] In 2014 and 2015, she was named Best Sports Anchor by the Alabama Associated Press. In June 2017, she was awarded a regional Emmy for producing an interview between Charles Barkley and Nick Saban.[2]

Personal life[edit]

On March 24, 2003, while a freshman at Rutgers University, Sisler unexpectedly lost both of her parents, Lesley and George Sisler, to prescription drug overdoses within hours of each other.[7] Losing her parents provided a devastating blow to Sisler and she was unsure about the future. Her aunt and uncle convinced her to return to Rutgers, where she struggled before regaining control of her life.[6] She speaks about the dangers of addiction and is involved with a few organizations. She has a brother Allen who served 12 years in the Navy.[5] She is a Christian.[8] She is married to John Willard.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Giles grad Lauren Sisler of ESPN hopes others learn from her late parents' addiction".
  2. ^ a b c "Lauren Sisler Bio". espnpressroom.com. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  3. ^ Lauren Sisler. "Lauren Sisler bio". AL.com. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  4. ^ Tim Hayes. "Lauren Sisler becomes Chilhowie football fan". roanoke.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Sunil Sunder Raj. "Rutgers University grad Lauren Sisler overcame family tragedy to succeed in sports broadcasting". doublegsports.com. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  6. ^ a b James Jones (November 20, 2018). "ESPN Sportscaster overcomes tragedy to become a success". selmatimesjournal.com. Retrieved September 13, 2019.
  7. ^ Amanda Brooks (March 22, 2018). "March 24 marks emotional anniversary for Sisler". espnfrontrow.com. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  8. ^ Camille Smith Platt. "SEC Nation's Lauren Sisler weighs in on what matters in the game of life". anngadchristian.com. Retrieved August 10, 2019.
  9. ^ Mark Berman. "TV notebook: ESPN promotes Giles grad Lauren Sisler". roanoke.com. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

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