From L to R: Kim Jarvis (gold), Joe Smiley (center), and Shannon Cross (white), all currently flourishing at ESPN
Bristol, CT - In March, ESPN celebrated its annual Show Your Spirit! ® Campaign to benefit The V Foundation for Cancer Research. Employees wear their favorite teams' apparel to celebrate sports and support the cause. Three current ESPN employees and Johnson C. Smith alumni came together to show their Golden Bull Pride, while representing the University.
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. ESPN provides comprehensive sports coverage and focuses on complete sports information including NFL, MLB, NBA, College Football, College Basketball scores and news.
JCSU had representation at the V Foundation event from Kim Jarvis, Joe Smiley, and Shannon Cross.
Jarvis is an avid sports fan and former athlete. She joined the company in 1998 as an assistant listings publicist; along the way her role has expanded to writing, editing, and handling photography requests. Jarvis is also responsible for maintaining the award-winning media website, ESPN MediaZone.
She attended JCSU, but graduated from the University of Massachusetts with a degree in English Literature. Jarvis enjoys writing, karate and photography. She is also actively involved with volunteering for various charitable organizations including Special Olympics. Jarvis recently wrote a feature article on ESPN Front Row about her CIAA Tournament experience during the 2012 celebration of the 100th anniversary.
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Smiley came to Johnson C. Smith from Clearwater, Florida. He graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2010 with a degree in Sports Management. Smiley began interning with ESPN in 2008, while continuing his education at JCSU. He went on to become a Production Assistant at the ESPN Headquarters in 2011. Smiley was a productive and dedicated member of the Golden Bulls football team.
Cross, a native of Seattle, WA, studied Communications and graduated from JCSU in 2004. In 2005, she was hired by ESPN and serves as an associate editor for ESPN.com. While at Johnson C. Smith, Cross played three years on the women's tennis team and became a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated.
About the V Foundation
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was formed by ESPN and the Valvano family in 1993 to honor Jim Valvano. Jim Valvano was the former men's basketball coach at North Carolina State University (1980-90) that won the 1983 NCAA Basketball Tournament and unfortunately was diagnosed with cancer at the young age of 46.
Valvano announced the launch of the V Foundation during his famous “Don't Give Up…Don't Ever Give Up” speech during the ESPY Awards. The foundation comprised of his family and friends has grown and continues to fund research to find cures for cancer.
