Class of 2007 Alumna Nears Nine Years with ESPN

Amanda Anderson ’07 is no stranger to the sports world. At Saint Viator, she was a cheerleading captain during her senior year and played soccer for three years. She is now approaching her ninth year of a successful career with ESPN in Bristol, Connecticut.

 

Anderson started out as a studio production intern during a summer internship in 2010. Logging games and producing highlights for Sports Center and Baseball Tonight, Anderson knew this was a career she wanted to pursue. Since joining ESPN full-time in November 2011, Anderson has climbed the ladder from production assistant to associate producer to senior manager of social media. 

 

Follow ESPN on any social media channel and you have probably seen her work. Anderson assists the senior management team and their 50+ person social team while managing daily content across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and ESPN+. She has also worked on the ESPY Awards the last three years, noting how sports are not just about games and statistics anymore. 

 

“Fans are becoming more interested in the storylines and athletes beyond the game, which really is the heart of social media,” she said. “I love getting to capture and promote those moments that show more than just an athlete’s talent, but their causes and values.”

 

Her latest contribution was leading the social strategy for the hit sports documentary series, “The Last Dance” across all ESPN social platforms. 

 

“People were really excited when we teased the series two years ago. While we were nervous moving production up from June to April this year due to COVID-19, we are overwhelmed by the response it has had. Growing up a Chicago Bulls fan, it was such an incredible project to be a part of. Not only has it brought national buzz, but it sparked conversation on social platforms internationally, which is so cool!” (Check out one of her favorite social posts from the series.) 

 

Anderson is thankful for the many ways Saint Viator grew her early love for sports and leadership. 

 

“I am so grateful for Saint Viator for teaching me my first lessons in leadership; how to work with peers, how to motivate, how to navigate difficult discussions, and how learning new skills is a part of life. My teachers and coaches taught me to lead with compassion in everything I do, and I hope to continue to stay true to the values Saint Viator instilled within me.”