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Holly Rowe

Holly Rowe is an sports broadcaster and renowned for her role as a reporter, play-by-play commentator, and sideline reporter at , where she covers major events including , men's and , , , the NCAA , the , and the WNBA. With a career spanning over 30 years, she joined full-time in August 1998 after initial appearances in 1997, establishing herself as one of the network's most versatile commentators through her reporting on high-profile broadcasts like ABC's and 's Big Monday telecasts; she re-signed with on a long-term deal in 2023. Rowe's broadcasting journey began after graduating with a degree in broadcast journalism from the , followed by early roles at BYUtv in , and as a reporter for , the affiliate in . She has also produced and written award-winning documentaries and features aired on platforms including KBYU TV, , and FOX 13 TV in , contributing to documentaries and features. In 2021, she made history as the first female color commentator for the of the NBA. Her work extends to inspirational speaking and advocacy, emphasizing resilience and support for . In May 2015, Rowe was diagnosed with stage III desmoplastic melanoma, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer that progressed to stage IV after metastasizing to her lungs in 2016, requiring chemotherapy, surgery, and ongoing treatment as of 2025. Despite returning to work shortly after her diagnosis, she has openly shared her journey to raise awareness, partnering with the Melanoma Research Foundation and advocating for early detection and research funding. This personal battle has profoundly influenced her perspective, transforming her approach to life and broadcasting with a focus on joy, gratitude, and anti-racism activism.

Early life

Childhood and family

Holly Rowe was born on June 16, 1966, in Woods Cross, Utah, though she grew up primarily in nearby Bountiful. She was the second of four daughters born to parents Del Rowe, a former athlete raised on a sheep farm in a small Utah town, and Diane Rowe. A younger brother joined the family when Rowe was 16 years old. The Rowe family fostered a deeply sports-oriented environment that profoundly shaped her early years. Her father, standing at just 5 feet 3 inches but accomplished in multiple sports including jockeying, , wrestling, , and , encouraged all his daughters to embrace athletics without gender-based limitations. The siblings regularly played pickup games on Saturdays, often competing against and defeating grown men, which built Rowe's competitive spirit and love for team sports. From a young age, she developed an obsession with BYU , attending games religiously and immersing herself in the excitement of in . Rowe's childhood also sparked her passion for storytelling, particularly through writing and closely following local athletic events. She frequently attended games in her community, capturing the narratives of athletes and teams that inspired her, laying the groundwork for her future pursuits in sports journalism. This blend of familial support for sports and her innate curiosity for personal stories naturally propelled her toward formal education in broadcasting at the University of Utah.

Education

Holly Rowe began her higher education at (BYU) in , shortly after graduating from Woods Cross High School in 1984. As a lifelong fan of BYU sports from her upbringing, she pursued there and gained early media experience as the news anchor for the campus station KBYU-TV. After approximately 1.5 to two years at BYU, Rowe transferred to the in , where she continued her studies in a familiar environment rooted in her home state. At the , Rowe majored in communications with an emphasis on , immersing herself in campus media to build practical skills in reporting and production. She served as a sportswriter for the student newspaper, the Daily Utah Chronicle, covering university athletics and honing her focus on . Additionally, she anchored news segments at the campus television station, which provided hands-on training in on-air delivery and storytelling—experiences that directly bridged her academic pursuits with real-world broadcasting techniques. These roles allowed her to contribute to local sports coverage while navigating the competitive media landscape of her , fostering connections within 's community. Rowe graduated from the in 1991 with a degree in , crediting the institution's resources and opportunities as pivotal in preparing her for a career in media. Her time at the university not only solidified her technical skills but also reinforced her passion for storytelling, shaped by her regional roots and early exposures to college athletics.

Broadcasting career

Early roles in Utah

Rowe's entry into professional broadcasting began shortly after her graduation from the in 1991, where she had anchored news at the campus station KBYU-TV. Her initial full-time role came in 1993 as an affiliate relations coordinator with the BYU Blue and White Sports Network, through which she covered athletic events and served as the play-by-play announcer for , , and from 1993 to 2009. A defining early experience occurred during a BYU versus football game when preempted the local broadcast, thrusting Rowe into a national spotlight and showcasing her reporting abilities to a wider audience. Expanding her local presence in the mid-, Rowe worked as a sports reporter and anchor across several outlets, including KSL Radio—where she provided part-time coverage of games—Fox 13 TV, KBYU TV, and KFNZ Radio. She also contributed to BYU football and sideline reporting during this period. These roles built her foundational expertise in regional sports coverage, focusing on college athletics and professional . To overcome the limited airtime for women's college sports in at the time, Rowe proactively purchased radio slots and secured sponsorships to broadcast BYU women's games, marking an early entrepreneurial effort in her career. Additionally, she started in production for TV broadcasts, handling tasks such as pulling cables in behind-the-scenes capacities. In a male-dominated during the early , Rowe faced barriers as one of the few women breaking into sports media, often relying on initiative and to advance from entry-level positions.

ESPN tenure

Holly Rowe joined ESPN full-time in August 1998 as a sideline reporter, building on her earlier freelance appearances for the network in 1997 and Sports in 1995, which served as a crucial stepping stone from her local broadcasting roles in . Over the years, she evolved into one of ESPN's most prominent sideline reporters, specializing in and coverage, including high-stakes events like NCAA tournaments and bowl games. Her reporting provides on-field insights during key moments, enhancing viewer engagement with timely updates on player injuries, strategies, and game dynamics. Rowe's assignments at ESPN encompass major conferences such as the SEC and Big 12, where she contributes to flagship broadcasts like ABC's Saturday Night Football and Big Monday men's college basketball. She has covered pivotal NCAA women's basketball tournaments, including serving as the dedicated beat reporter for Iowa's Caitlin Clark during the 2024 event, and has reported from the Women's Final Four multiple times. In college football, her work extends to bowl games and the expanded College Football Playoff, where she joined ESPN's top team of Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit for every round in the 2024-2025 season, marking her 10th CFP semifinal appearance by 2023. A notable milestone came on October 22, 2021, when Rowe made history as the first female color commentator for a Utah Jazz game against the Sacramento Kings, leveraging her ESPN expertise in a local broadcast role. Throughout her ESPN tenure, Rowe has earned multiple Sports Emmy nominations, including for Outstanding Sports Personality/Sports Reporter in 2020, 2023, 2024, and 2025. She won the in 2022. Renowned for her exceptional work ethic, she has missed only one day in her nearly 30 years with the network, even continuing assignments during cancer treatments in 2016. Rowe has also expanded into producer and writer roles, creating documentaries and features for ESPN and other outlets, with her contributions remaining active into 2025, including coverage of college basketball's 2025-26 season and delivering the University of Utah's commencement address.

Other contributions

Beyond her primary roles at ESPN, Holly Rowe has provided commentary for Utah Jazz games, marking a significant milestone in 2021 when she became the team's first female color analyst during a broadcast against the . That year, she joined the Jazz broadcast team as an analyst but transitioned in 2024 to a role as storyteller and in-game reporter on selected content. Rowe has also extended her work to other networks and events, including contributions to and specials as part of her versatile ESPN/ABC portfolio. Additionally, she serves as a producer and writer for sports documentaries and features, with projects airing on outlets such as KBYU TV, , and FOX 13 in . In broader impact, Rowe has mentored women in through public speaking on overcoming industry barriers and career development. In May 2025, she delivered the University of Utah commencement address to the Class of 2025, urging graduates to "be reckless with your confidence" while sharing insights on building a resilient path in male-dominated fields. She keynoted the 2025 Women & Business Conference and Athena Awards Luncheon in , emphasizing strategies for women to advance in . In June 2025, Rowe partnered with Allstate's initiative to promote coverage, highlighting the need for greater visibility and support in broadcasting. Her October 2025 appearance at a further discussed her early career starts, crediting targeted initiatives for launching her into reporting.

Personal life

Family

Holly Rowe has largely kept details of her marital status and romantic relationships private throughout her career, focusing public discussions on her role as a mother. She is the parent of , McKylin Rowe, in 1995. McKylin has pursued a career in and writing, with notable roles including a part in the biographical sports drama (2021) and the short film (2020). Rowe's motherhood has significantly intersected with her demanding schedule, particularly during her at . In a 2025 interview, she recounted managing an 8-week-old McKylin during her first major five-hour shift, highlighting the challenges of balancing newborn care with professional commitments; she noted taking only one day off in her 30-year career for family reasons. This experience underscored her resilience, as she often traveled extensively for sideline reporting, yet maintained a close bond with her son, who accompanied her to events like the 2025 Sports Emmys. The family's dynamic has evolved into a supportive , with McKylin now collaborating with his on projects such as their co-hosted Call Your Mom, launched in 2024, where they discuss life, career, and personal growth. In recent 2025 episodes and interviews, Rowe has emphasized how her son's presence provides emotional grounding amid her high-travel lifestyle, allowing her to prioritize joy and presence in family moments despite past professional pressures.

Health challenges

In May 2015, Holly Rowe was diagnosed with stage 3 desmoplastic melanoma, a rare and aggressive form of skin cancer originating in the nerves, after noticing a persistent red scar on her chest. The initial surgery removed the primary tumor from her chest, but the cancer recurred shortly thereafter. In February 2016, she underwent a more extensive procedure to excise additional tumors from her chest and under her right arm, along with 29 lymph nodes, all of which tested negative for cancer. By mid-2016, the disease had metastasized to her lungs, advancing to stage 4 metastatic melanoma. Rowe's treatment journey involved intensive starting in August 2016, with intravenous infusions administered every 21 days through August 2018 at a site in ; these treatments successfully reduced the size of the lung tumors, including the largest one shrinking significantly within months. She has continued receiving every 21 days to manage the metastatic disease, demonstrating her commitment to ongoing care despite the physical toll, including scars and in one arm from removal. Throughout this period, Rowe embodied resilience by adhering to a of seeking "joy in every moment," a she credits with sustaining her emotionally and spiritually during treatments and recurrences. Family support has played a crucial role in bolstering Rowe's recovery mindset, providing emotional strength amid the challenges. Her determination is further highlighted by maintaining her daily routine with minimal disruption, missing only one day over the decade-long battle. As of 2025, Rowe is cancer-free following nearly 10 years of living with metastatic . In a September 2025 , she reflected on the profound impact of her experience, noting how it heightened her appreciation for sports and life, fostering a deeper sense of gratitude and purpose in everyday moments.

Awards and honors

Major awards

Holly Rowe has received multiple nominations and a win from the Sports for her outstanding sports reporting, particularly in coverage of and . She won the 2022 Sports for Outstanding Personality/Reporter, recognizing her sideline reporting and feature storytelling during ESPN's broadcasts. She was nominated in the same category in 2020, 2023, and 2024, highlighting her consistent excellence in live event reporting for major college athletic events. During her tenure at , these national accolades underscored her impact on . In 2025, Rowe received the Keith Jackson Eternal Flame Award from College Sports Communicators, honoring her lasting contributions to intercollegiate athletics and excellence in sports media storytelling. Prior to 2023, Rowe earned other journalism honors for her local and national work, including recognition for producing award-winning documentaries and features on Utah-based outlets like KBYU TV and FOX 13 TV, where she focused on regional sports stories. In 2022, she received the Mel Greenberg National Media Award from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association, honoring her contributions to coverage of women's college basketball. In 2023, Rowe was awarded the Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, one of the highest honors in sports media for her decades of impactful electronic reporting and storytelling in basketball. During her acceptance speech at the Hall of Fame's Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala, she emphasized her lifelong passion for sports storytelling and the importance of amplifying athletes' narratives.

Hall of Fame recognitions

In 2023, Holly Rowe received the Curt Gowdy Electronic Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, recognizing her outstanding contributions to basketball coverage across electronic media. The award was announced on February 17, 2023, and presented during the Hall of Fame's Tip-Off Celebration & Awards Gala on August 11, 2023, as part of the Class of 2023 ceremonies that also inducted players like Dwyane Wade. In her acceptance speech, Rowe emphasized her lifelong passion for sports, reflecting on how it has driven her career despite challenges in a male-dominated field. Rowe's induction into the Utah Sports Hall of Fame Foundation as part of the Class of 2025 further highlighted her broadcasting legacy in her home state. The class was announced on , 2025, and the induction ceremony took place on , 2025, at the Little America Hotel in , where she was honored alongside , John Buck, Stew Morrill, and Mary Kay Amicone for their impacts on sports. This recognition celebrated her Utah roots, including her education at Woods Cross High School and the , and her early broadcasting roles that laid the foundation for her national career. These honors underscore Rowe's trailblazing role as a in sports media, particularly in elevating women's athletics amid industry barriers. At a 2025 University of Utah commencement address, she tied her achievements to her home state by advising graduates to embrace their Utah-bred tenacity, stating, “I tried to imagine what my day or month or week would look like if I was going to die soon… I would not change a thing,” emphasizing unyielding pursuit of passion rooted in her local upbringing.

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