College Gameday brought cameras, fun and Anna Negron to JMU’s campus. Tasked with organizing the press and members of the ESPN staff and avoiding any PR threats during Gameday, Negron took an hour out of her busy weekend to speak with some future PR professionals. After a brief overview of her career and background, Negron took many questions from the audience and these are a few things gathered from the time spent listening to this inspirational woman.
1. Dreams Do Come True
As she shared this statement, she added what a cliché it was but also what how true it became for her. As a little girl, Negron told her friends she’d be working at ESPN someday and they laughed and thought she was dreaming a little too big. There were also moments when she doubted if the sports world was for her but she kept pursuing her dream and one day she got a call and it all became her reality. She shared that you should always try to stick to what you love the most because it will make you happiest and leave you with the least amount of regrets.
2. Embrace Your Past, Good or Bad
Negron was runner up to be Miss New Jersey after competing for years in pageants to get to that point. She talked about how at first this was devastating but if she were to have won, she wouldn’t have pursued the jobs she did, when she did. She never would’ve gotten her position at ESPN if she was busy spending her time with the duties of Miss New Jersey. She laughed at the notion that her pageant setback was anything but a blessing. Negron made sure to say that she was glad to have gone through the experience though because even though it ended in a way she hadn’t hoped, it would it lead her to where she is today and taught her many things along the way.
3. Any Career Should be Open to Women
Questioned about her experience as a woman in sports, Negron first approached it with humor and a witty, “I even know routes!” in reference to the recent comments made by Cam Newton. But then, she got serious. In summary, Negron has had nothing but support and equality with the professionals around her but being a field with a majority of men has taught her just how important it is to evaluate work for work and focus on merit over anything else a person may be. She was never going to stand for any sort of pity or doubt put on her because of her gender and she made it clear no one else should.