Jay Harris (sportscaster)
Encyclopedia
Jay Harris is an American
journalist
who has worked for ESPN
since February 2003. When he first joined ESPN, he worked primarily on ESPNEWS
, but in August 2006, he was named the weekday co-host of the 6pm ET
SportsCenter
along with Brian Kenny
. He also often hosts the SportsCenter 30 at 30 Update
.
Prior to ESPN, Harris worked for many years at WPGH-TV
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
, as a weeknight news anchor. He also has local morning radio news experience at WAMO-FM
, and national news experience at American Urban Radio Networks, also in Pittsburgh. He also did local radio news at WOWI-FM in Norfolk, Virginia. He is known primarily for his two trademark on-air catch phrases: finishing his interviews with correspondents by saying, "Thank you brother.", and mixing in a high pitched "However" reminiscent of Dumb Donald from Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.
Harris has several honors including: a Silver World Medal from the New York Festivals, a Robert L. Vann Award from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, an EXCEL Award from the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals. He was also part of two Emmy award winning Sportscenter shows. A 1987 graduate of Old Dominion University
, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award and served as the keynote speaker for its 100th commencement ceremony in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
He is married with 2 children.
Harris is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
fraternity.
On the February 22, 2008 episode of SportsCenter
, Bill Walton
presented Harris with a cake, to the surprise of Harris. Walton also noted that Harris shares the same birth date with famed basketball player Julius Erving
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
who has worked for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
since February 2003. When he first joined ESPN, he worked primarily on ESPNEWS
ESPNEWS
ESPNEWS , launched on November 1, 1996, is a 24-hour-a-day sports news television channel...
, but in August 2006, he was named the weekday co-host of the 6pm ET
North American Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
SportsCenter
SportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
along with Brian Kenny
Brian Kenny (sportscaster)
Brian Kenny is a sportscaster for the MLB Network. He previously worked for ESPN, where he most recently anchored the 6 p.m. edition of SportsCenter for ESPN, served as the host of ESPN2's Friday Night Fights...
. He also often hosts the SportsCenter 30 at 30 Update
SportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
.
Prior to ESPN, Harris worked for many years at WPGH-TV
WPGH-TV
WPGH-TV is the Fox-affiliated television station for Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 43 from a transmitter at its studios on Ivory Avenue in the city's Summer Hill section. The station can also be seen on Verizon FiOS and Comcast channel 7...
in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh is the second-largest city in the US Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Allegheny County. Regionally, it anchors the largest urban area of Appalachia and the Ohio River Valley, and nationally, it is the 22nd-largest urban area in the United States...
, as a weeknight news anchor. He also has local morning radio news experience at WAMO-FM
WAMO-FM
WAOB-FM, formerly WAMO-FM, is a radio station serving the Pittsburgh area. It is currently owned by St. Joseph Missions, a Catholic-based organization based in Pittsburgh. WAOB-FM is licensed to Beaver Falls, Pennsylvania, broadcasts at 106.7 MHz...
, and national news experience at American Urban Radio Networks, also in Pittsburgh. He also did local radio news at WOWI-FM in Norfolk, Virginia. He is known primarily for his two trademark on-air catch phrases: finishing his interviews with correspondents by saying, "Thank you brother.", and mixing in a high pitched "However" reminiscent of Dumb Donald from Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids.
Harris has several honors including: a Silver World Medal from the New York Festivals, a Robert L. Vann Award from the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation, an EXCEL Award from the Hampton Roads Black Media Professionals. He was also part of two Emmy award winning Sportscenter shows. A 1987 graduate of Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University is a state university located in Norfolk, Virginia, United States, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools...
, he received a Distinguished Alumni Award and served as the keynote speaker for its 100th commencement ceremony in 2003 and 2004 respectively.
He is married with 2 children.
Harris is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha
Alpha Phi Alpha is the first Inter-Collegiate Black Greek Letter fraternity. It was founded on December 4, 1906 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Its founders are known as the "Seven Jewels". Alpha Phi Alpha developed a model that was used by the many Black Greek Letter Organizations ...
fraternity.
On the February 22, 2008 episode of SportsCenter
SportsCenter
SportsCenter is a daily sports news television show, and the flagship program of American cable network ESPN since the network launched on September 7, 1979. Originally broadcast only daily, SportsCenter is now shown up to twelve times a day, replaying the day's scores and highlights from major...
, Bill Walton
Bill Walton
William Theodore "Bill" Walton III is a retired American basketball player and television sportscaster. The "Big Red-Head", as he was called, achieved superstardom playing for John Wooden's powerhouse UCLA Bruins in the early '70s, winning three straight College Player of the Year Awards, while...
presented Harris with a cake, to the surprise of Harris. Walton also noted that Harris shares the same birth date with famed basketball player Julius Erving
Julius Erving
Julius Winfield Erving II , commonly known by the nickname Dr. J, is a retired American basketball player who helped launch a modern style of play that emphasizes leaping and play above the rim....
.