After an impressive 25-year run as a cornerstone of ESPN’s flagship program SportsCenter, John Anderson is embarking on a new chapter. The esteemed broadcaster, a proud alumnus of the University of Missouri (B.J. ’87), will be joining the Missouri School of Journalism faculty as the Leonard H. Goldenson Endowed Chair in Radio and Television Journalism, starting in January 2025. His final SportsCenter broadcast is scheduled for Friday, June 28, marking the end of an era for ESPN viewers and the beginning of an exciting venture in academia.
John Anderson, veteran ESPN SportsCenter anchor, to join the University of Missouri School of Journalism faculty in 2025.
Anderson’s journey in broadcasting began at KOMU-TV, part of the Missouri News Network, while he was a student at Mizzou. Prior to his ESPN tenure, he honed his skills in local television news for over a decade, earning accolades as a sports reporter and anchor at stations in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Phoenix, Arizona. This rich background in both local and national sports broadcasting provides him with a unique perspective to impart to aspiring journalists.
Joining ESPN in 1999, John Anderson quickly became a fixture, recognized for his insightful commentary and engaging on-air presence. His remarkable career at the network has been punctuated by numerous accolades, including four Emmy Awards. For Anderson, this transition to teaching represents a significant milestone, viewing his role at the Missouri School of Journalism with the same prestige as reaching the pinnacle of professional sports broadcasting.
“Why wouldn’t you want to go play for the Yankees?” Anderson remarked, drawing a parallel to the esteemed reputation of the University of Missouri. He will also serve as a professional practice professor, further emphasizing the practical, hands-on approach he intends to bring to his teaching. “That’s what Mizzou is. If you’re going to go play, why not go play for the team with all the world titles? I could not have thought of a better post-ESPN landing spot.”
Anderson’s appointment reinforces the University of Missouri’s commitment to the Missouri Method, a renowned teaching philosophy emphasizing practical experience. He will not only share his extensive knowledge gained from years in the field but also remain connected to the sports journalism industry through continued collaborations with ESPN. This blend of academic instruction and industry engagement will offer students invaluable insights and real-world preparation.
For the past 22 years, Anderson has been instrumental in fostering the next generation of sports journalists by sponsoring a Mizzou student internship at ESPN. He noted that this initiative encouraged all SEC schools to establish similar internship programs after Missouri joined the conference in 2011, highlighting his commitment to mentorship and industry-wide impact. Returning to his alma mater, Anderson is eager to contribute to the program that launched his own successful career, aiming to guide and inspire future journalists.
“What are you doing if you’re not going to help bring somebody else along?” Anderson stated, reflecting on the mentors who shaped his own path. “I think about my life, and someone always took the time to bring me along, whether it was a baseball or track coach who taught me how to be a good teammate, or whether it was professors like Stacey Woelfel, Don Ranly or Karen List who taught me that being prepared doesn’t mean you’re a finished product. I have benefited from so many people who have looked out for me, and I only have three kids — I can look out for a few more than that.”
