Jenn Hildreth

{{Short description|American sports commentator}} {{Infobox person | name = Jenn Hildreth | image = | image_size = | caption = | birth_name = | birth_date = <!-- {{birth date and age|1978|04|10}} needs confirmation --> | birth_place = Norwood, New York, U.S. | other_names = | known_for = Sports commentary - "Let's Love the Game!" | education = | alma_mater = Emory University | employer = Freelance | occupation = Broadcaster | years_active = 2001–present | title = | spouse = | partner = | children = | parents = | relations = | signature = | website = }} '''Jenn Hildreth''' <!-- (born April 1978) --> is an American sports commentator best known for her work as a soccer play-by-play announcer for English-language broadcasts of the FIFA Women's World Cup, National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), and Major League Soccer in the United States. She is known for her Latin American-style signature first half kickoff catchphrase ''"Let's love the game!"''

==Early life== Hildreth is from Norwood, New York. She graduated from Norwood-Norfolk High School in 1995, where she was a multi-sport athlete.<ref name="nny-2020">{{cite news |url=https://www.nny360.com/sports/prosports/norwood-s-hildreth-broadcasts-pro-women-s-soccer-s-return-to-play-on-national-tv/article_baf02c1d-c0df-5b34-aca8-a1ba548cb767.html |title=Norwood's Hildreth broadcasts pro women's soccer's return to play on national TV |date=July 24, 2020 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=Watertown Daily Times |first=Gregory |last=Gay}}</ref>

===Education=== Hildreth attended Emory University from 1995 to 1999, where she participated in the university's soccer team as a goalkeeper, basketball team, and in track and field.<ref name="ajc-2015">{{cite interview |url=https://www.ajc.com/sports/pro-sports/with-jenn-hildreth-about-women-world-cup/5hqC9RlkhjVQ4vGbNMiENK/ |title=Q&A with Jenn Hildreth about Women's World Cup |first=Jenn |last=Hildreth |interviewer=Doug Roberson |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |date=June 29, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2023}}</ref> As a goalkeeper, she played 1,457 minutes in 20 appearances, made 61 saves, and allowed 18 goals with a {{win-loss record|w=11|l=8|d=1}} record in 1997,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.emoryathletics.com/sports/wsoc/Records/HISTSEAS.HTM |title=Single-Season History |access-date=April 25, 2023 |publisher=Emory Eagles}}</ref> and played 578 minutes in 5 appearances, made 7 saves, and allowed 7 goals with a {{win-loss record|w=3|l=2|d=0}} record in 1995. She had a total of four shutouts in her career.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.emoryathletics.com/sports/wsoc/Records/histcarr2013.HTM |title=Career History |access-date=April 25, 2023 |publisher=Emory Eagles}}</ref>

==Journalism career== After graduating from Emory in 1999,<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.emory.edu/EMORY_REPORT/erarchive/2006/October/October%2030/firstperson.htm |title=The journalism sky isn't falling |date=October 30, 2006 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=Emory Report |first=Sheila |last=Tefft}}</ref> Hildreth covered high-school sports at ''The Atlanta Journal-Constitution'' for two years before moving to sports commentary.<ref name="wigu-2020">{{cite interview |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=splgSd7NIYI |title=When I grow up: I want to be a Sports Broadcaster w/Jenn Hildreth |date=July 31, 2020 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |interviewer=Archie Messersmith-Bunting |first=Jenn |last=Hildreth}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=McIntosh boasts players of the year |first=Jenn |last=Hildreth |date=May 24, 2001 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Humphrey becomes an all-around force |first=Jenn |last=Hildreth |date=March 23, 2003 |work=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution}}</ref>

==Sports commentary career== After working for Atlanta-area sports production companies, Hildreth moved to regional sports network Fox Sports South in 2001 to work as a reporter and host on weekly Southeastern Conference (SEC) and Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) shows.<ref name="wigu-2020"/>

Hildreth has worked on broadcast crews for the Atlanta Beat of the Women's United Soccer Association,<ref name="wigu-2020"/> as a color commentator for Women's Professional Soccer on Fox Soccer Channel,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2019/03/29/wps-womens-professional-soccer-10-year-anniversary/ |title=10 years after debut, WPS still has a complex legacy |date=March 29, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=The Equalizer |first=Dan |last=Lauletta}}</ref><ref name="eqz-2020-pod">{{cite interview |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2020/10/12/kickin-back-podcast-jenn-hildreth/ |title=Kickin' Back with Jenn Hildreth |date=October 12, 2020 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=The Equalizer |interviewer=Jeff Kassouf |first=Jenn |last=Hildreth}}</ref><ref name="wst-2021"/> the Atlanta Braves as a dugout reporter for regional sports networks Fox Sports South and Fox Sports Southeast,<ref name="ajc-2015"/><ref>{{cite tweet |user=jennhildreth |number=454769745712414720 |title=Working my first #Braves game at home tonight! |author=Jenn Hildreth}}</ref> the 2015-16 NCAA Division I men's basketball season and ACC football, soccer, basketball, and softball games for ESPN, the SEC Network, and the ACC Network,<ref name="evo-2018">{{cite press release |url=http://www.evolutiongroupllc.com/moves-news |title=Moves & News |access-date=April 21, 2023 |publisher=Evolution Group}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2015/11/six-new-analysts-added-to-espnu-sec-network-line-up-for-2015-16-mens-basketball-season/ |title=Six New Analysts Added to ESPNU, SEC Network Line-up for 2015-16 Men's Basketball Season |date=November 5, 2015 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=ESPN Press Room |publisher=ESPN |first=Rachel |last=Margolis Siegal}}</ref><ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://www.bgn.fm/acc-network-debut-the-spirits-big-night/ |title=ACC Network Debut & The Spirit's Big Night |date=August 29, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=The Mixxed Zone |host=Jenn Cooper |time=1:47}}</ref> 2015, 2019 and 2023 FIFA Women's World Cups for Fox Sports,<ref name="evo-2018"/> the 2020 Summer Olympics for NBC,<ref name="nbc-og-2021">{{cite press release |url=https://nbcsportsgrouppressbox.com/2021/05/19/nbc-olympics-names-soccer-commentators-for-this-summers-tokyo-olympics/ |title=NBC OLYMPICS NAMES SOCCER COMMENTATORS FOR THIS SUMMER'S TOKYO OLYMPICS |date=May 19, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=NBC Sports Group Press Box |publisher=NBC Sports}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/entertainment/national/story/2021-05-19/nbc-using-espns-foudy-rae-hildreth-for-olympics |title=NBC using ESPN's Foudy, Rae, Hildreth for Olympics |date=May 19, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=The San Diego Union-Tribune |agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/nbc/nbcs-soccer-coverage-at-the-summer-olympics-blends-premier-league-nwsl-experience.html |title=NBC's soccer coverage at the Summer Olympics blends Premier League, NWSL experience |date=May 19, 2021 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=Awful Announcing |first=Joe |last=Lucia}}</ref> the NCAA Division I women's soccer tournament from 2016 to 2022,<ref name="evo-2018"/><ref name="nbc-og-2021"/><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/qa-jenn-hildreth-previews-the-college-cup |title=Q&A: Jenn Hildreth previews the College Cup |date=November 30, 2018 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |publisher=National Women's Soccer League |first=Celia |last=Balf}}</ref> 2021 and 2022 Women's International Champions Cups,<ref name="evo-2018"/> and UEFA Women's Euro 2022 for ESPN,<ref name="aa-2022-euro">{{cite news |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/espn/espn-uefa-womens-euro-2022-commentators.html |title=ESPN announces commentary and studio teams for UEFA Women's Euro 2022 |date=June 30, 2022 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=Awful Announcing |first=Phillip| last=Bupp}}</ref> and the 2023 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament for ESPN.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/schedules/your-2023-ncaa-womens-tournament-first-four-and-first-round-announcing-schedule.html |title=Your 2023 NCAA Women's Tournament First Four and First Round announcing schedule |date=March 13, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=Awful Announcing |first=Joe |last=Lucia}}</ref>

In 2015, Atlanta Braves player Adonis García hit Hildreth with an errant throw, sparking a discussion about fan safety in stadiums.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9PU2FMfu1pQ |title=ATL@CHC: Hildreth discusses getting hit by bad throw |date=August 23, 2015 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |publisher=Major League Baseball |website=YouTube}}</ref>

{{Asof|2023}}, Hildreth is a voter on the United States National Soccer Hall of Fame Players Selection Committee, which votes on new entrants to the hall.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalsoccerhof.com/hall-of-famers/voting-screening-committee.html |title=VOTING AND SCREENING COMMITTEE |access-date=April 21, 2023 |publisher=National Soccer Hall of Fame}}</ref>

===FIFA Women's World Cup, 2015–=== Hildreth's assignment as play-by-play announcer for the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup was intended to end after the quarterfinals, but Fox Sports unexpectedly retained her for the semifinals. It was among Hildreth's first major play-by-play assignments, having primarily served as a reporter or analyst until 2014.<ref name="ajc-2015"/><ref name="wigu-2020"/> Her return for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup, paired with analyst Kyndra de St. Aubin, represented Fox Sports's only all-woman broadcast pairing of the tournament<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.startribune.com/minnesota-united-s-tv-analyst-shifts-to-los-angeles-to-call-world-cup-games-for-fox/510980702/ |title=Minnesota United's TV analyst shifts to Los Angeles to call World Cup games for Fox |date=June 9, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=Minneapolis Star-Tribune |first=Jerry |last=Zgoda}}</ref> and was well-reviewed by media critics.<ref name="wst-2021">{{cite news |url=https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/review-foxs-womens-world-cup-tv-coverage-opening-weekend-20190610-CMS-273450.html |title=FOX's 2019 Women's World Cup coverage reviewed |date=November 5, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=World Soccer Talk |first=Kartik |last=Krishnaiyer |quote=The broadcast duo of Jenn Hildreth and Kyndra de St Aubin, who called the controversial Spain-South Africa match, were fantastic. They didn’t miss a single critical match event. Hildreth’s timing on when to interject stories about the players or teams was perfect. ... Pairing Hildreth with de St Aubin, who has become one of the best MLS co-commentators in her work for Minnesota United, has given FOX an elite, all-female broadcast pairing.}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2015/06/30/michelle-akers-uswnt-coverage-objectivity |title=Michelle Akers's objectivity a welcome voice in coverage of U.S. Soccer |date=June 30, 2015 |access-date=April 22, 2023 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |first=Richard |last=Deitsch |quote=1e. The team of Jenn Hildreth and Kyndra de St. Aubin was awarded the call of the England-Japan semifinal on Wednesday. Julie Stewart-Binks was assigned as the reporter. That's a nice job by Fox Sports brass to reward three people who produced quality work during the tournament with a high-end assignment.}}</ref><ref name="sm-2019-pod">{{cite podcast |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/5pbGmGVO6rbCmVoepKynE0?si=dfeca1ce5fda4cfa |title=James Andrew Miller and Jenn Hildreth |host=Richard Deitsch |date=June 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |publisher=Cadence13 |website=Spotify |time=44:41}}</ref>

===National Women's Soccer League, 2015–=== Hildreth has been part of National Women's Soccer League broadcast crews as a play-by-play announcer in 2015, 2016,<ref name="eqz-2017">{{cite news |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2017/03/28/the-lowdown-nwsl-from-cupcakes-to-radio-silence/ |title=The Lowdown: From cupcakes to radio silence |date=March 28, 2017 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=The Equalizer |first=Dan |last=Lauletta}}</ref> 2017,<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://stylemagazine.com/news/2017/mar/30/2017-national-womens-soccer-league-game-week-begin/ |title=2017 National Women's Soccer League Game of the Week Begins Live Saturday, April 15 |date=March 30, 2017 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |magazine=Houston Style Magazine}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://equalizersoccer.com/2017/03/30/nwsl-on-lifetime-broadcast-team-schedule-announced/ |title=NWSL on Lifetime broadcast team, schedule announced |date=March 30, 2017 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=The Equalizer}}</ref> 2018,<ref name="ncpr-2020"/><ref>{{cite press release |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2018/02/21/2018-national-womens-soccer-league-game-of-the-week-begins-saturday-march-24-on-lifetime-707013/20180221lifetime01/ |title=2018 National Women's Soccer League Game of the Week Begins Saturday, March 24 on Lifetime |date=February 21, 2018 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=The Futon Critic |publisher=Lifetime}}</ref> 2019,<ref name="evo-2018"/><ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-espn-broadcast-team |title=NWSL announces ESPN broadcast team |date=July 12, 2019 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |publisher=National Women's Soccer League}}</ref> 2020,<ref name="evo-2018"/><ref name="ncpr-2020">{{cite news |url=https://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/41856/20200708/st-lawrence-county-native-makes-history-in-women-s-soccer-broadcast |title=St. Lawrence County native makes history in women's soccer broadcast |date=July 8, 2020 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=North Country Public Radio |first=David |last=Sommerstein}}</ref> 2021,<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.kansascitycurrent.com/news/nwsl-announces-broadcast-lineup-for-2021-challenge-cup-prese |title=NWSL Announces Broadcast Lineup for 2021 Challenge Cup Presented By Secret Deodorant |date=April 6, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |publisher=Kansas City Current}}</ref> and 2022,<ref name="nwsl-2022">{{cite news |url=https://www.kansascity.com/sports/soccer/kc-current/article267823412.html |title=NWSL championship TV details: KC Current vs. Portland Thorns |date=October 25, 2022 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=The Kansas City Star}}</ref> across ESPN, Fox Sports, and Lifetime.<ref>{{cite podcast |url=https://www.spreaker.com/user/osgsports/hildreth1v1 |title=Soccer Down Here 1v1: Jenn Hildreth on NWSL Championship |publisher=OSG Sports |host=Jason Longshore |date=October 2022}}</ref> Her work included calling play-by-play for the English-language national broadcasts of the 2015, 2016, 2017,<ref name="eqz-2017"/> 2018,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://lifehacker.com/tired-of-men-watch-this-weekends-nwsl-final-1829210199 |title=Tired Of Men? Watch This Weekend's NWSL Final |date=September 21, 2018 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=Lifehacker |first=A.A. |last=Newton}}</ref> 2019,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2019/07/12/broadcast-talent-for-espns-nwsl-coverage/ |title=BROADCAST TALENT: For ESPN's NWSL coverage |date=July 12, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=Front Row Soccer |first=Michael |last=Lewis}}</ref> 2021,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.soccerwire.com/news/chicago-red-stars-to-face-washington-spirit-in-2021-nwsl-championship/ |title=Chicago Red Stars to face Washington Spirit in 2021 NWSL Championship |date=November 15, 2021 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=SoccerWire}}</ref> and 2022 NWSL championship matches,<ref name="evo-2018"/><ref name="nwsl-2022"/> and the championship match of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup.<ref>{{cite press release |url=https://www.nwslsoccer.com/news/nwsl-announces-broadcast-talent-for-championship-presented-by-budweiser-of-the-2020-nwsl-challenge-cup-presented-by-pg-and-secret |title=NWSL announces broadcast talent for championship, presented by Budweiser, of the 2020 NWSL Challenge Cup presented by P&G and Secret |date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |publisher=National Women's Soccer League}}</ref> Hildreth's role as play-by-play announcer alongside Aly Wagner for the opening match of the 2020 Challenge Cup was the first such nationally televised broadcast of live team sports in the United States after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name="nny-2020"/><ref name="ncpr-2020"/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/jenn-hildreth-nwsl-challenge-cup/ |title='I'm Overjoyed To Play Some Small Part In This': Play By Play Announcer Jenn Hildreth On NWSL Challenge Cup |date=July 22, 2020 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |work=CBS Miami |first=DJ |last=Sixsmith}}</ref>

Hildreth became the lead English-language play-by-play commentator of ESPN's coverage (in the USA and the Caribbean) of the NWSL starting with the 2024 season.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2024/03/abc-and-espn-platforms-present-the-2024-nwsl-season/ | title=ABC and ESPN Platforms Present the 2024 NWSL Season | date=13 March 2024 }}</ref> She is usually alongside former English national team forward Lianne Sanderson as her match analyst.

===Major League Soccer, 2019–2023=== On Mother's Day, Sunday, May 12, 2019, Hildreth was part of the second all-female commentary crew for a Major League Soccer match, between D.C. United and Sporting Kansas City alongside Cat Whitehill and Jillian Sakovits.<ref name="wigu-2020"/><ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUw9-QzGAdY |title=DC United vs. Sporting KC {{!}} HIGHLIGHTS - May 12, 2019 |date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |website=YouTube |publisher=Major League Soccer}}</ref>

On February 8, 2023, Hildreth was announced by MLS Productions as a member of the Major League Soccer broadcasting team for Apple TV.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.inquirer.com/soccer/apple-mls-hires-jenn-hildreth-nwsl-20230208.html |title=Apple MLS broadcaster hires include Jenn Hildreth, Ramses Sandoval, Carlos Ruíz, Melissa Ortiz |date=February 8, 2023 |access-date=April 20, 2023 |work=Philadelphia Inquirer |first=Jonathan |last=Tannenwald}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.socceramerica.com/publications/article/95214/mls-season-pass-tony-meola-and-jenn-hildreth-amon.html |title=MLS Season Pass: Tony Meola and Jenn Hildreth among new hires |date=February 8, 2023 |access-date=April 21, 2023 |magazine=Soccer America |first=Paul |last=Kennedy}}</ref> She has been a member of 4 all-female MLS Productions English-language commentary teams, having worked alongside Lori Lindsey, Kyndra de St. Aubin, Jill Loyden and Danielle Slaton.

On July 15, 2023, Hildreth unveiled her Latin American-style signature first half kickoff catchphrase ''"Let's love the game!"'' for the first half kickoff of the Real Salt Lake vs New York Red Bulls MLS match on Apple TV, alongside former U.S. international goalkeeper Jill Loyden.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LhtMlIcaDM |title=Real Salt Lake vs. New York Red Bulls {{!}} HIGHLIGHTS - July 15, 2023 |date=July 16, 2023 |access-date=July 26, 2023 |website=YouTube |publisher=Major League Soccer}}</ref>

Hildreth departed MLS Productions at the end of the 2023 MLS regular season in order to become the lead English-language play-by-play commentator for ESPN's coverage (in the USA and the Caribbean) of the NWSL during the 2024 season.

==Personal life== Hildreth lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband Chris,<ref name="nny-2020"/> who works for ESPN in sales.<ref name="eqz-2020-pod"/> They have two daughters, Ashley and Madison.<ref name="nny-2020"/> Her father Joseph was an art professor at State University of New York at Potsdam, and her mother Sandra is an artist in Saranac Lake, New York.<ref name="nny-2020"/>

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * {{Twitter|jennhildreth}} * [https://icdb.tv/stats/3485/Jenn-Hildreth Internet Commentator Database profile] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nXp77prqmSU Compilations of NWSL broadcast goal calls from 2015–2017] and [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98j7GjdZZOI 2018–2020]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Hildreth, Jenn}} Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Living people Category:People from St. Lawrence County, New York Category:Emory University alumni Category:American women's soccer players Category:Women's association football goalkeepers Category:College women's soccer players in Georgia (U.S. state) Category:American journalists Category:American women television journalists Category:Association football journalists Category:American women sports journalists Category:American women sports commentators Category:American sports commentators Category:American television sports commentators Category:American soccer commentators Category:College basketball announcers in the United States Category:Women's college basketball announcers in the United States Category:College football announcers Category:Major League Baseball broadcasters Category:National Women's Soccer League commentators Category:Major League Soccer broadcasters Category:Women association football commentators