Linda Cohn

Linda Cohn (born November 10, 1959) is a female American sportscaster. She periodically anchors ESPN's "SportsCenter".

Early life and education

As a teenager, Cohn, a New Yorker, demonstrated talent at ice hockey, joining her high school's boys team for eight games. She is also an avid New York Giants, New York Mets, New York Knicks and New York Rangers fan. [cite web | url = http://sports.espn.go.com/nhl/columns/story?columnist=cohn_linda&id=2690913 | title = Exorcising my Devils demons with Zach Parise | last = Cohn | first = Linda | publisher = ESPN.com | date = December 8, 2006 | accessdate = 2008-03-21]

After graduating from Newfield High School, based in Selden on Long Island, Cohn attended SUNY at Oswego. She is remembered by students at Newfield to this day as one of the few notable alumni. Cohn graduated with a bachelors degree in arts and communications from SUNY at Oswego. She was also the goalie for the women's ice hockey team at Oswego and was inducted to the Oswego State athletics hall-of-fame on November 11, 2006.

Career

Early years

In 1981, Cohn debuted as a sports anchor for the Patchogue, New York-based radio station WALK-AM (also WALK-FM). After leaving that station in 1984, she worked as a sports anchor for four other New York area radio stations until 1987. The most notable stop was a brief stint as an update person at WFAN, New York.

1987-1991

In 1987, Cohn made sportscasting history by becoming the first full-time U.S. female sports anchor. She was hired by ABC to anchor their radio sports news show. In 1988, Cohn got her first television break, after being hired by what was at the time one of ESPN's top competitors, SportsChannel America. In 1989, she hosted a call-in radio sports show back home in New York.

Cohn moved to Seattle, Washington, after her stint at the SportsChannel America Network, being hired by KIRO-TV to work as a sports anchor there.

ESPN

Cohn returned to the East Coast in 1992, when she was hired by ESPN to work at "SportsCenter". She has become a familiar face among "SportsCenter" viewers ever since, and she is one of a group of women that have worked at the show. She has also been featured in many of the show's comical "This is SportsCenter" commercials.

In 2005, Cohn signed a contract extension with ESPN, which adds doing play-by-play for WNBA telecasts to her duties.

On June 20, 2008, ESPN announced that Cohn would be a regular anchor for the new morning block of "SportsCenter", which launched on August 11. She would have been the co-anchor, alongside Steve Berthiaume, of the first three hours of the block, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. ET on weekdays. [cite web | url = http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i76a689103c1b2ad674da9fba260f6dcc | title = 'SportsCenter' rounds out its new roster | last = Gough | first = Paul J. | publisher = Hollywood Reporter | date = June 20, 2008 | accessdate = 2008-07-02] Several weeks later, though, ESPN announced that the new "SportsCenter" morning block would be scaled back from nine to six hours, effectively canceling Cohn's section. [cite web | url = http://awfulannouncing.blogspot.com/2008/07/espn-nixes-6-9am-block-for-sports.html| title = ESPN Nixes 6-9AM Block For Sports Center's New Format Debuting In August | publisher = AwfulAnnouncing.com | date = July 10, 2008 | accessdate = 2008-08-07]

Cohn's memoir about her career as a sportscaster and at ESPN, "Cohn-Head: A No-holds-barred Account of Breaking into the Boys’ Club", was published in September 2008. [http://www.borders.com/online/store/SearchResults?keyword=Linda+Cohn&type=1&simple=1]

Personal

Cohn currently resides in Southbury, Connecticut.

Cohn was married to Stew Kaufman, whom she met while attending Oswego. They had two children. Among the things Cohn writes about in her book is the recent breakup of her marriage. [cite web | url = http://www.usatoday.com/sports/columnist/hiestand-tv/2008-07-02-cohn_memoir_N.htm | title = ESPN anchor Cohn's memoir is a refreshing change of pace | last = Hiestand | first = Michael | publisher = USAToday.com | date = July 2, 2008 | accessdate = 2008-08-14] In an interview on WFAN with Mike Francesa, Cohn admitted she occasionally sings backup at REO Speedwagon concerts.

References

External links

* [http://www.espnmediazone.com/bios/Talent/Cohn_Linda.htm Bio at ESPNMediaZone.com]