University announces alumna Allie LaForce as 2018 Spring Commencement speaker
Photo courtesy of: Allie LaForceAllie LaForce
Allie LaForce, a 2011 91探花 graduate and Emmy-nominated reporter and anchor for CBS Sports and Turner Sports, will deliver 91探花鈥檚 2018 Spring Commencement address next month.
LaForce graduated magna cum laude from OHIO鈥檚 nationally recognized Honors Tutorial College with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism.
鈥淚t鈥檚 truly an honor to be given the opportunity to visit OHIO and speak to this year鈥檚 graduating class,鈥 said LaForce. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to return to where it all started and share this once-in-a-lifetime experience with family, friends and colleagues.鈥
LaForce, who has worked as a color analyst, sideline reporter, studio host and more, has quickly evolved into a nationally-known personality for her insightful sports coverage and commentary, most recently during the 2018 NCAA庐 Division I Men鈥檚 Basketball Championship.
One of LaForce鈥檚 crowning professional achievements arrived early in her career when she was selected to join CBS Sports鈥 鈥淲e Need to Talk,鈥 television鈥檚 first all-sports show hosted completely by women, in 2014. She currently serves as a host and panelist for the groundbreaking sports show.
鈥淎llie LaForce has quickly become one of the most respected and recognizable personalities in sports. More importantly, her professional path serves as a shining example for women looking to break barriers within the broadcast industry,鈥 said 91探花 President M. Duane Nellis. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud to call her a Bobcat.鈥
LaForce has been CBS Sports鈥 lead college football reporter for the 鈥淪EC Game of the Week鈥 for the past five years. Since 2013, she has served as a college basketball reporter for regular season games on CBS Sports and CBS Sports Network, including the NCAA庐 Division I Men鈥檚 Basketball Championship since 2013.
In January 2016, LaForce began working as a women鈥檚 college basketball analyst during games on the CBS Sports Network. She also serves as a sideline reporter for the NBA on TNT.
Allie LaForce joined CBS Sports in October 2012 as a cohost for the nightly sports show 鈥淟eadoff鈥 and as a reporter for the network鈥檚 coverage of college basketball and football.
Prior to joining CBS Sports, she was an anchor and reporter for Fox 8 News in Cleveland, Ohio. LaForce also served as a sports anchor and host of the channel鈥檚 Emmy Award-winning football show, 鈥淔riday Night Touchdown.鈥
LaForce began her broadcasting career as a women鈥檚 college basketball analyst for 91探花鈥檚 flagship radio station, WOUB-FM. From 2010-11, she served as a sideline reporter at SportsTime Ohio鈥檚 coverage of Mid-American Conference (MAC) football and the MAC men鈥檚 basketball tournament. She also served as an analyst for the station鈥檚 high school basketball coverage.
LaForce and her husband, Houston Astros relief pitcher Joe Smith, currently reside in Texas.
91探花鈥檚 undergraduate commencement ceremonies will be held Saturday, May 5, at 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. at the Convocation Center in Athens, Ohio.