ESPN Promotes UCLA Grad Cari Champion To SportsCenter Anchor

Let's face it. Bruins Nation hasn't been much of a fan of ESPN. Perhaps it's been East Coast Bias. Or, pro-Trojan Bias. Or, even sheer jealousy.

Well, my Bruin Brethren that may be about to change.

ESPN has announced that Cari Champion, a 1998 UCLA graduate, is being promoted from ESPN2's "First Take" with Stephen A. Smith and the ever-irritating Skip Bayless to SportsCenter on the flagship.

According to an article on TheWrap.com, Champion is expected to join the show's anchor desk in mid-July and work morning broadcasts. Her last day on "First Take" was today.

Champion has certainly paid her dues. Her first reporting job was in West Virginia. She has also worked for the Orange County Newschannel, WPTV in West Palm Beach, WGCL in Atlanta, The Tennis Channel, Starz, The Insider and Hollywood 411.

She grew up in Pasadena and is an avid basketball fan of the Lakers and, of course, the Bruins.

Let's hope that she teaches everyone in Bristol how to do an 8 clap!

Go Bruins!!!