Alumna Sage Steele to speak at Indiana University Bloomington undergraduate commencement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Sage Steele, an Indiana University alumna who is one of today’s most versatile and accomplished sports television personalities, will speak at IU Bloomington's undergraduate commencement ceremony May 9.
Undergraduate commencement will begin at 10 a.m., outdoors at IU Memorial Stadium, 1001 E. 17th St. Commencement is free and open to the public. Parking is free.
“Since earning her Indiana University degree 20 years ago, Sage Steele has steadily risen to become one of the most talented, knowledgeable and respected television presenters working today,” IU President Michael A. McRobbie said.
“The success she has achieved throughout her media career reflects her passion for reporting and broadcasting of the highest quality, and she has thrived each time she has accepted new challenges, such as being called upon to host several high-profile programs on ESPN and ABC," McRobbie said. "We are delighted that she has agreed to return, once again, to her alma mater, and we have no doubt that the university's newest graduates will greatly benefit from hearing her share her impressive story and unique experiences.”
"I truly believe that if it weren't for Indiana University, I would never have come close to achieving my career goals and dreams of being a sportscaster,” Steele said. “Because of that, being invited to be the commencement speaker exactly 20 years after receiving my diploma from IU is the greatest honor I have ever received. I look forward to an amazing return ‘home’ to be part of such a wonderful, important day for these graduates."
Steele earned a Bachelor of Science degree in sports communications in 1995 from IU's School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation (today the IU School of Public Health-Bloomington).
She is currently in her second season as the host of “NBA Countdown” -- ABC’s and ESPN’s flagship NBA studio show. She is also a central contributor to ESPN’s on-site NBA coverage at the NBA Finals, NBA Conference Finals and NBA All- Star Game.
Steele joined ESPN in 2007 and has served as an anchor of its iconic news and information program, "SportsCenter." She also hosted the Scripps National Spelling Bee for several years and has contributed to a variety of other ESPN programs.
Additionally, Steele has guest-hosted ABC’s “The View” on multiple occasions and has been prominently featured in a range of media outlets, including Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Sports Illustrated.
Before coming to ESPN, Steele worked as a reporter at WSBT-TV in South Bend, Ind.; WISH-TV in Indianapolis; WFTS-TV in Tampa; Fox Sports Florida; and Comcast SportsNet serving Washington and Baltimore.
She frequently has returned to her alma mater. In 2011, she received the Anita Aldrich Distinguished Alumni Award during the Bloomington campus's annual National Girls and Women in Sports Day Dinner. In 2013, she participated in IU's Diversity Leadership Conference and last year spoke as part of the IU Media School’s lecture series.
Additional commencement information
At the undergraduate commencement ceremony, doors will open at 8 a.m., and the procession of graduates will begin at 8:45 a.m.
There are no tickets and generally no reserved seats at commencement ceremonies. People with wheelchairs and those who need accessible seating should make reservations by contacting the Office of University Events at 812-855-3762 or sending an email to iuevents@indiana.edu.
For those with family and friends who are unable to attend, commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live via streaming video at broadcast.iu.edu. The commencement ceremony also will be available for viewing later, along with videos of past commencement ceremonies archived on the site.
Complete information about commencement ceremonies on IU campuses is available on the Office of University Events website.
