Drexel alumna anchors on ESPN
Shawn Gauby
Issue date: 9/20/07 Section: News
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Quick - name one non-basketball athlete that graduated from Drexel.
That piece of trivia is a pretty tall order for many Drexel students. After today, you will know at least one. Chris McKendry, a 1990 Drexel graduate, has found success in the media world as an anchor at ESPN's SportsCenter after playing Division I tennis for the Dragons.
McKendry has been able to break through with a Drexel education to report on the flagship program on ESPN for the last 11 years. In the past, she has hosted sessions of the X Games and the Winter X Games, and she was a sideline reporter for the FIFA Women's World Cup. However, she has taken particular pride in her commentating at Wimbledon this year.
"Wimbledon, clearly, was a professional milestone and a very personal assignment for me," McKendry said. "It was something I had always coveted."
McKendry used her tennis roots to help her in covering Wimbledon as she could draw off her experience in the game to become a better analyst. McKendry was a part of some excellent squads as the tennis team went 24-13 in the three seasons she was on the team.
"I was an extremely mediocre tennis player," she said. "I loved sports and was a good athlete but as far as being a well-schooled tennis player, not so much. I think Coach Laura White will tell you my footwork was lacking. I played singles and doubles for three seasons before landing my first television job."
Her coach was less bashful when describing McKendry 's effect on the team.
"She was not at the top of the line-up, but that did not matter," said Laura White. "She was always about the team. She worked hard, and she always wanted to be the best that she could be."
White still serves for Drexel, but she has since been promoted to associate athletic director.
McKendry had the difficult task of budgeting her time with a full slate of classes along with the responsibilities that come with playing on the tennis team. Despite this, she held multiple internships throughout her time at Drexel and was a Dean's List Scholar for three years. But when she had to choose between following her career aspirations and playing tennis in her senior year, McKendry chose to pursue her dreams.
That piece of trivia is a pretty tall order for many Drexel students. After today, you will know at least one. Chris McKendry, a 1990 Drexel graduate, has found success in the media world as an anchor at ESPN's SportsCenter after playing Division I tennis for the Dragons.
McKendry has been able to break through with a Drexel education to report on the flagship program on ESPN for the last 11 years. In the past, she has hosted sessions of the X Games and the Winter X Games, and she was a sideline reporter for the FIFA Women's World Cup. However, she has taken particular pride in her commentating at Wimbledon this year.
"Wimbledon, clearly, was a professional milestone and a very personal assignment for me," McKendry said. "It was something I had always coveted."
McKendry used her tennis roots to help her in covering Wimbledon as she could draw off her experience in the game to become a better analyst. McKendry was a part of some excellent squads as the tennis team went 24-13 in the three seasons she was on the team.
"I was an extremely mediocre tennis player," she said. "I loved sports and was a good athlete but as far as being a well-schooled tennis player, not so much. I think Coach Laura White will tell you my footwork was lacking. I played singles and doubles for three seasons before landing my first television job."
Her coach was less bashful when describing McKendry 's effect on the team.
"She was not at the top of the line-up, but that did not matter," said Laura White. "She was always about the team. She worked hard, and she always wanted to be the best that she could be."
White still serves for Drexel, but she has since been promoted to associate athletic director.
McKendry had the difficult task of budgeting her time with a full slate of classes along with the responsibilities that come with playing on the tennis team. Despite this, she held multiple internships throughout her time at Drexel and was a Dean's List Scholar for three years. But when she had to choose between following her career aspirations and playing tennis in her senior year, McKendry chose to pursue her dreams.
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Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Linda
posted 12/29/07 @ 8:20 AM EST
Is Chris McKendry related to the new weather person Karen Thomas on Channel 10 news? They look like they could be twins! Just curious...
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