Michele Tafoya facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michele Tafoya
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Tafoya in 2023
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| Born | December 17, 1964 |
| Education | University of California, Berkeley (BA) University of Southern California (MBA) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) | Mark Vandersall |
| Children | 2 |
| Awards | Sports Emmy Award winner (5) |
| Sports commentary career | |
| Genre(s) | Play-by-play Sideline reporter |
| Sports | |
Michele Tafoya, born on December 17, 1964, is an American reporter. She used to be a sports broadcaster for CBS and NBC. From 2011 to 2022, she was well-known as a sideline reporter for NBC Sunday Night Football. During her career, she reported on the National Football League, the Olympics, and professional basketball games.
After leaving sports broadcasting, Michele Tafoya became involved in politics. She also appears on television to talk about American politics and culture.
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Early Life and Education
Michele Tafoya is the daughter of Wilma and Orlando Tafoya. Her family has Hispanic roots. She grew up with one brother and three sisters.
She went to Mira Costa High School in Manhattan Beach, California. Michele then studied at the University of California, Berkeley. In 1988, she earned a degree in mass communications. Later, in 1991, she received a master's degree in business from the University of Southern California.
Sports Broadcasting Career
Michele Tafoya had a long and successful career in sports broadcasting. She worked for several major sports networks.
Early Career in Radio and TV
Michele Tafoya started her career in radio. She worked as a host and reporter for KFAN-AM in Minneapolis. She mainly covered games for the Minnesota Vikings and the University of Minnesota women's basketball team. She also worked for WAQS in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was known as Mickey Conley.
She then worked for the Midwest Sports Channel. There, she was a host and sideline reporter for the Minnesota Timberwolves. She also called play-by-play for women's Big Ten basketball and volleyball. Before joining national networks, Tafoya spent three years at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis as a sports anchor and reporter.
Working at CBS Sports
In September 1994, Michele Tafoya joined CBS Sports. She was a reporter and host for their sports shows. She covered college basketball and was a reporter for college football games. Her first on-air appearance was at the 1994 U.S. Open Tennis Championships.
In 1997, Michele received a Gracie Award. This award recognized her excellent work as an on-air TV personality. She earned it for calling WNBA games on Lifetime Television. She also reported for the NFL and college football, including the 1998 Orange Bowl. She was a late-night co-host for the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. Michele also hosted CBS's NCAA Tournament selection show and covered the Goodwill Games. She left CBS at the end of 1999.
Time at ABC Sports and ESPN
Michele Tafoya joined ESPN and ABC Sports in January 2000. She became a sideline reporter for ABC Sports' Monday Night Football. When the show moved to ESPN, she continued as a sideline reporter for ESPN Monday Night Football starting in 2006. She also co-hosted the Mike Tirico Show on ESPN radio. She helped ABC cover Super Bowl XL as a sideline reporter.
In 2003, during a University of Minnesota versus University of Michigan game, Michele had an incident where she lost her temper. She later said she was embarrassed and apologized publicly.
Michele also worked on NBA games for ABC and ESPN. In October 2008, she announced she would step down from her role as the main NBA sideline reporter.
Her other roles at ESPN included calling WNBA games. She also hosted skiing telecasts and worked on college basketball selection shows. She was a correspondent for SportsCenter and Outside the Lines. In 2006, she was ranked among the most liked TV sports personalities. She left ESPN for NBC Sports at the end of the 2010-2011 NFL season.
Return to WCCO Radio
On April 19, 2009, Michele Tafoya was announced as the new evening talk radio host for WCCO-AM. Her show began on June 1, 2009. She left this role on January 27, 2012, as her schedule became busier with events like the Super Bowl and the London Olympics.
Working at KQRS Radio
Michele Tafoya joined "The KQ Morning Show" on KQRS-FM as a co-host on September 8, 2016. She worked alongside Tom Barnard. She left the KQRS morning show in March 2020.
Career at NBC Sports
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On May 4, 2011, Michele Tafoya became the new sideline reporter for NBC Sunday Night Football. She replaced Andrea Kremer and rejoined her former co-worker, announcer Al Michaels. She also covered swimming during the Summer Olympics for NBC.
It was reported that Michele would leave Sunday Night Football after the 2021 season. On January 11, 2022, NBC confirmed her departure. Super Bowl LVI was her final assignment with the network. She left to explore other opportunities.
Personal Life
Michele Tafoya and her husband, Mark Vandersall, have two children. They have a biological son and an adopted daughter. The family lives in Edina, Minnesota.
Career Timeline
- 1998: Winter Olympics Late-Night Host
- 1994–1997 & 1999: NCAA on CBS Sideline Reporter
- 1998: NFL on CBS Sideline Reporter
- 1999: SEC on CBS Sideline Reporter
- 2000–2003: ESPN College Football Sideline Reporter
- 2002–2003: Monday Night Countdown Reporter
- 2004–2010: Monday Night Football Sideline Reporter
- 2002–2008: NBA on ABC and NBA on ESPN Sideline Reporter
- 2009–2012: WCCO Radio Afternoon Drive Host
- 2011–2021: NBC Sunday Night Football Sideline Reporter
- 2016–2020: KQRS Morning Show Co-host
- 2022–present: Left NBC to become a freelance reporter
See also
In Spanish: Michele Tafoya para niños
