January 28, 2014

It’s a new ballgame for ESPN’s Burke ’87

Doris Burke ’87, ’92G, & ’05Hon.
Doris Burke ’87, ’92G, & ’05Hon.

Basketball broadcasting pioneer Doris Burke ’87, ’92G, & ’05Hon. has a new, high-profile role this season — studio analyst on ESPN’s NBA Countdown show. With this assignment, she continues to enhance her reputation as one of the nation’s top basketball analysts, regardless of gender.

“I hope to facilitate good conversation by asking good questions,” said Burke, who recently signed a multi-year contract extension with ESPN. She views this role not so much as “climbing the ladder” but more as being given a new opportunity by ESPN, where she has covered men’s and women’s professional and college basketball since 1991.

Burke, pictured interviewing Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade, credits PC’s liberal arts education with setting her on the path to professional success in this ultra-competitive line of work.

“Providence College taught me … the most important thing you should have as a professional regardless of the field of endeavor, and that’s the ability to think,” said Burke, who was an All-America guard as a senior and is a member of the College’s Athletics Hall of Fame.