Octagon Speakers
Denise Austin
Tracy Austin
Chris Berman
Brian Billick
Wade Boggs
Joe Buck
Bill Cowher
Brad Daugherty
Dean Edell
Herm Edwards
Nick Faldo
Mike Golic
Mike Greenberg
Jeff Hammond
Tom Jackson
Jim Lampley
Larry McReynolds
Al Michaels
Jim Nantz
Rick Reilly
Jimmy Roberts
Kenny Smith
Dick Vermeil
Rusty Wallace
Denise Austin promotes a sensible, realistic, and enthusiastic approach to fitness and eating. She works out only 30 minutes a day and never skips a meal! Her health and fitness philosophies have won her countless fans throughout the United States, from whom she receives more than 10,000 letters and emails a week. When you watch Denise on television, read her books, or follow her videos, you can't help feeling like she's there with you cheering you on. Denise has been named America's favorite fitness expert. She gets the energy to tackle challenges and achieve her success from the gratification of knowing she makes a difference in people's lives and inspires them to feel better about themselves.
View Speaker Page
Tennis prodigy Tracy Austin stormed into women's tennis in 1977 and set a number of amazing records as the youngest player in the sport. As a former World No. 1 woman tennis player from the United States, she won the women's singles title at the US Open in 1979 and 1981 and the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon in 1980. Since retiring as a player, Austin has frequently worked as a commentator for NBC and the USA Network and commentated for the Seven Network at the 2006-2009 Australian Opens. Austin holds a compassion for the game and those who surround it.
View Speaker Page
Chris Berman is one of America's most respected, popular, and in many ways, most beloved sportscasters of his era. A National Sportscaster of the Year six times, Berman and his various shows have won seven Emmy Awards and 12 CableACEs. Being with ESPN since it's inception over 25 years ago, he now serves as host, analyst, and commentator for ESPN and ABC's primetime sporting events. He also hosts the critically acclaimed show, NFL PrimeTime , which is cable television's highest rated studio show. Famed for his use of nicknames and catchphrases during highlights, Berman is notorious for his lighthearted and humorous approach. Berman is also currently the face of two nation-wide marketing campaigns for both Applebee's, the largest casual dining chain in the world, as well as famed weight loss program NutriSystem.
View Speaker Page
In 2001, Brian Billick led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory only two years into his tenure. A well-respected and successful NFL coach, Billick credits his accomplishments to passion, teamwork, and accountability. This innovative motivator is a leader by example who demands these same values from everyone in his organization. In his presentation, this respected NFL leader continues to prove that with dedicated management, enthusiasm for the cause, and respect and trust for his team, the ultimate goals are achieved. Billick has also written a new book, "More Than a Game: The Glorious Present and Uncertain Future of the NFL," which gives readers an inside look at professional football, both on and off the field. Billick currently serves as Fox NFL Analyst and is also a contributor for the NFL Network.
View Speaker Page
Wade Boggs’ major league career was a regimented, meticulous, disciplined journey, taken day by day and step by step across 18 years. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame as the 41st first-ballot honoree in Hall history when they resoundingly welcomed Boggs in early 2005. Boggs spent 11 All-Star seasons with the Red Sox in Boston (1982-92). He duplicated his success with the New York Yankees and helped them win a World Series title in 1996. After a short break, Boggs finished his career with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and reached his 3,000th career hit with the organization August 7, 1999. Individual honors included 12 consecutive All-Star appearances (1985-96); five batting titles (1983, 1985-88); and two Gold Gloves (1994-95). Wade’s Hall of Fame credentials were never in doubt. Wade finished his career with a .328 batting. Heavily involved in giving back, the Wade Boggs Foundation for Youth Athletics provides fundraising to help children in the Tampa area acquire sports...
View Speaker Page
Joe Buck has earned the distinction as one of sports' premier broadcasters, covering countless sporting events, many of which are in the record books. Buck has won numerous Sports Emmy Awards for his work with FOX Sports television. Hired by FOX in 1994, he become the youngest man ever to announce a regular slate of NFL games on network television. In 1996, Buck became the youngest man to do a national broadcast for a World Series and on September 8, 1998 he called Mark McGwire’s 62nd home run that broke Roger Maris’ long-standing single-season record. In 2002, Buck became the third announcer ever to handle a television network’s lead MLB and NFL coverage in the same year. In 2005, he covered his first Super Bowl and has also been featured in multiple commercials for the likes of Budweiser and Holiday Inn. In February 2009, Buck added to his list of duties and joined the HBO Sports team, where he currently hosts his own HBO program,...
View Speaker Page
The former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach stepped down on January 5, 2007 as the longest tenured head coach in the NFL after a 15 year run. In Cowher’s 15 seasons, the Steelers captured eight division titles, earned ten postseason playoff berths, advanced to six AFC Championship games and made two Super Bowl appearances. In 2006, the Steelers won Super Bowl XL under his direction, his first ever championship. In 2007, Cowher joined CBS Sports to bring his experience, knowledge and passion for the game as an analyst for the Network’s NFL studio show, THE NFL TODAY. Cowher can get the best out of anyone who surrounds him as his voice and opinion are respected by all his players. His determination and hunger to succeed can easily be related towards making a business successful, and making every employee a team player.
View Speaker Page
Brad Daugherty is a former star basketball player at the University of North Carolina and later with the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA. A five-time All-Star, Daugherty was taken first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 1986 NBA Draft. During his professional career, he played in 41 postseason games and led the Cavaliers as far as the Eastern Conference Finals in 1992. After retiring due to recurrent back troubles, Daugherty served as a basketball analyst for ESPN. Having both a love for hoops and car racing, Daugherty changed gears in 2007 and became a NASCAR analyst for ESPN. He is a regular on the NASCAR Countdown program that precedes all NASCAR race telecasts and is an analyst on the daily NASCAR Now show. He is also part-owner of JTG Daugherty Racing and Tony Kostelnak Racing.
View Speaker Page
Dr. Dean Edell, one of the first physician broadcasters in the nation, is the host of America's second most popular syndicated radio talk show, The Dr. Dean Edell Show, heard in more than 400 radio stations, as well as the anchor of Medical Minutes, a series of ten weekly radio medical reports. He is also the host of the daily 90-second Medical Report seen in 75 television markets. Dr. Edell is known for translating complicated medical information into concise, easy-to-understand reports and for tackling topics that are obscure, unusual and often controversial.
View Speaker Page
Whether it is his faith, his family or his football team, Edwards exudes passion in all areas of his life. That energetic and enthusiastic approach best defines how he approached his task as head coach of the Kansas City Chiefs. With his diverse background in pro football either as a player, scout, an assistant coach or head coach, Edwards has become one of five coaches in NFL history to take two different teams to the playoffs in their debut seasons with them. Currently, he uses his energy, enthusiasm and insight in his new role as in-studio NFL analyst for ESPN. Edwards has used his experience in the league to serve as a positive role model and has been involved in numerous charitable efforts and philanthropic endeavors. Edwards founded the Herm Edwards Youth Foundation in 1985 as well as the Herm Edwards Youth Football Camp. The camp has allowed over one thousand kids a year to sharpen their football skills and learn valuable lessons from some of the...
View Speaker Page
Nick Faldo is undoubtedly one of the most successful European golfers. His impressive career consisted of 43 professional wins, of which include six Majors, three Open Championships, and three US Masters. In 1997, Faldo was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame. In addition to his tournaments wins, Faldo was ranked World No. 1 for a total of 98 weeks! Faldo has found a balance in his dedication to golf and the ability to find time for relaxation and other pursuits. Faldo is actively involved in several charities helping to raise awareness and funds. The charities include Guide Dogs for the Blind, Make a Wish and Sports Relief. Faldo was recently knighted by Queen Elizabeth, honoring his 30 years of success on the golf course. This year, he also opened the new Faldo Championship Course at Lough Erne Golf Resort in the North West of Ireland.
View Speaker Page
Mike Golic is co-host of ESPN Radio’s Mike & Mike in the Morning show and also serves as an analyst for ESPN and ESPN2’s NFL studio programming, as well as for the networks’ college football game coverage. Golic was also recently slated as one of the lead broadcasters for the 2007 Arena Football League season. He will sit in for nearly half the scheduled 26 broadcasted games alongside colleague Mike Greenberg, including Arena Bowl XXI. He and Greenberg will also broadcast several NFL Monday Night Football games in 2007. Golic is a nine-year NFL veteran and a graduate of the University of Notre Dame.
View Speaker Page
Mike Greenberg is co-host of Mike and Mike In The Morning on ESPN Radio and ESPN2, and author of the New York Times best seller Why My Wife Thinks I'm An Idiot. Greenberg was also slated as one of the lead broadcasters for the 2007 Arena Football League season. He sat in for nearly half the scheduled 26 broadcasted games alongside colleague Mike Golic, including Arena Bowl XXI. He and Golic also served as lead broadcasters for several NFL Monday Night Football games in 2007. Greenberg joined ESPN in September 1996 as an anchor for ESPNEWS, ESPN's 24-hour sports news network, which launched in November of that year. He was named co-host of The Morning Show on ESPN Radio on December 30, 1999, and continues his anchor role for the 6pm ESPN SportsCenter. Born August 6, 1967, Greenberg is a 1989 graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.
View Speaker Page
Jeff Hammond holds a knowledge of the racing scene that exceeds almost anyone in the business, and he now has the ability to extend that knowledge to the fans as a broadcaster for NASCAR through FOX Sports. Hammond started his career on the track in 1979 at the young age of 17 as a tire changer for Walter Ballard. He then became the crew chief for the team behind Darrell Waltrip when Waltrip was at the peak of his driving career. They saw victory in 43 races and Hammond became well known and respected for his success in the pits. Hammond, being a great asset to the industry, joined FOX Sports to conduct the pre-race show with Chris Myers in 2000. Jeff also helps cover races on FX and FOX with Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds, and his long-time friend in Waltrip. Hammond decided to share his stories and success with the public through his book, ``Real Men Work in the Pits,'' which debuted on bookshelves across the country in February of 2005. “Jeff Hammond has been around racing for a long...
View Speaker Page
Tom Jackson is currently a studio analyst for NFL Countdown and NFL Primetime and a contributor to SportsCenter on ESPN. His work as a broadcaster has earned him a Cable ACE Award for Best Sports Analyst. As a former linebacker for the Denver Broncos, he holds the franchise record for most seasons and games played. Tom played in Super Bowls XII and XXI, made 3 Pro Bowl appearances, was voted Defensive Most Valuable Player three times by his teammates and awarded Denver's Most Inspirational Player award.
View Speaker PageAndrea Kremer is more than just a role model for women, being the first female correspondent hired by ESPN. Rather, she personifies the kind of individual we should all look to as an example of a model citizen and a wonderfully successful business person. Kremer exudes passion and drive in all of her vastly different, yet complimentary endeavors. Whether it is supporting breast cancer research, which is one of the many areas Kremer is involved in, conducting exclusive interviews with the likes of Michael Jordan and Brett Favre, or spending time with her son, she is constantly practicing what she preaches by testing her physical and mental limits and making a difference in the world in any way that she can. Kremer is a wonderful example of someone who has overcome adversity and attained success by staying true to herself and not succumbing to other’s expectations, but rather creating and abiding by her own. Kremer currently serves as the sideline and feature...
View Speaker Page
A veteran sportscaster with twenty-eight years of network experience, Jim Lampley has covered nearly every major sporting event on television. The 2006 Olympic Games in Torino represented Jim Lampley's 13th Olympics, breaking ABC's legendary Jim McKay’s record for most career Olympic broadcasting assignments. Accomplished as both a studio host and play-by-play broadcaster, Lampley is known for his work as HBO’s blow-by-blow commentator for professional boxing, and as a contributor to the Emmy Award-winning Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel series.
View Speaker Page
McReynolds, who is now a TV racing broadcaster, brings a fresh perspective and fascinating stories that include radioing the late Dale Earnhardt instructions where to accelerate in a turn, and getting bawled out in the NASCAR trailer by series boss Bill France for speaking his mind. As a top crew chief in NASCAR Winston Cup racing, Larry McReynolds guided drivers such as Dale Earnhardt, Davey Allison and Ernie Irvan to victory. His is a story of single-minded determination to succeed in the top tier of racing, regardless of setbacks. McReynolds undoubtedly holds an unparalleled insider's look at NASCAR racing. “Some things don't change, and commitment, dedication, and focus will always be a winning combination. Communication is key, too, whether in the pits, in an office, or in a family setting. And, regardless of the job or an end goal, don't settle for second best and never allow yourself to be content.” - Larry McReynolds, talking to students about how to get ahead and the skills...
View Speaker Page
Al Michaels, one of television's most respected journalists, has covered more major sporting events than any sportscaster since he joined ABC Sports in 1976. He has been widely acclaimed for his knowledgeable and insightful reporting during his tenure with ABC Sports: as play-by-play announcer for ABC's NFL Monday Night Football, the most successful sports series in television history. In addition to his work as host of the Olympics, Michaels is also the only journalist to have announced all four major sporting events: the Super Bowl, Stanley Cup Finals, World Series and NBA Finals. Currently, Michaels serves as play-by-play announcer for NBC's Sunday Night Football and is slated as daytime host for the network's coverage of the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
View Speaker Page
Jim Nantz joined the CBS Television Network in 1985 as host of college football's studio show and currently serves as anchor of The NFL Today. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as the recipient of the Curt Gowdy Media Award in 2002. Nantz was also the winner of the National Sportscaster of the Year Award in 1998. As the lead play-by-play announcer for CBS Sports' college basketball coverage, he has now called the Final Four and championship game for more network broadcasts than any other announcer. Nantz has covered anything from the Super Bowl to the Masters, and the Olympic games to the NFL. "Jim's style is that he is not intrusive at all. He lets the athletic competition be the star, not Jim Nantz, and people like that. The descriptions and tone he sets for different events are extremely professional. Jim is more satisfied letting the story unfold in front of the viewer. And he's very likable, and likability is something you can't teach anybody." -...
View Speaker Page
The New York Daily News called Rick Reilly "one of the funniest humans on the planet" and Publishers Weekly called him, "an indescribable amalgam of Dave Barry, Jim Murray, and Lewis Grizzard, with the timing of Jay Leno and the wit of Johnny Carson." Rick Reilly is a columnist for ESPN the Magazine, ESPN.com, and contributes to "ESPN SportsCenter" and ABC-TV's golf coverage on a regular basis. He has been voted National Sportswriter of the Year nine times and he has also written New York Times bestsellers including his latest; Who's Your Caddy?: Looping for the Great, Near Great, and Reprobates of Golf.
View Speaker Page
Jimmy Roberts, a 13-time Emmy Award Winner, contributed a series of nightly features known as the GM "Olympic Moments" during NBC's coverage of the 2004 Athens Games. Known for his abilities as a journalist and for his rapport with the game's top players, Roberts also serves as NBC Sports' interviewer and essayist on its golf coverage. Roberts is a brilliant wordsmith and a skilled interviewer.
View Speaker Page
Kenny Smith is former pro basketball player and current TV announcer. When Smith graduated from North Carolina in 1987, he held the school record for most assists with 768. Currently, Smith is a NBA studio analyst for the TNT show, Inside the NBA , where he provides analysis and acts as a straight man for studio partner Charles Barkley. Kenny also hosts Full Court Press on Sirius Satellite Radio. Before he got his job as a sports announcer in 1998, Smith played nine seasons in the NBA.
View Speaker Page
The national respect for Dick Vermeil truly transcends football. Considered one of the finest innovators and motivators the game has ever known, Vermeil's style has truly stood the test of time. Whether it was coaching championship football and swimming teams as a high school coach in California, re-establishing UCLA as a national collegiate powerhouse, or reaching the highest echelon of the pro profession by coaching a club to a Super Bowl championship, there's been virtually no challenge Vermeil hasn't stepped up to during his illustrious career. Legendary Coach Dick Vermeil is one of only four coaches in NFL history to guide two different teams to the Super Bowl. He has been named “Coach of the Year” on four levels: high school, junior college, NCAA Division I, and the NFL. Not to mention that he was the only coach to post victories in the Super Bowl and the Rose Bowl. Now he serves as the head coach for the Kansas City Chiefs, where he has put them back into contention for the...
View Speaker Page
Rusty Wallace is a former NASCAR champion, NASCAR Busch Series car owner, and television broadcaster with the Walt Disney Company. Inspired by his father's success in racing, Rusty went on to become one of the most prolific race-car drivers in the United States. Now retired, Rusty works in TV and is currently designing his own race-track in the state of Iowa.
View Speaker Page