You might recognize today’s Sports Babe of the Day from her days at GUYISM.COM, a male-oriented website where she was the only female voice. If that is not where you know her from, you have probably seen her as the latest sidekick to the most famous TV personality, Regis Philbin. She is the one and only Katie Nolan, Digital Correspondent on Fox Sports 1, Crowd Goes Wild.
Katie is a New England native who became a YouTube sensation with her GUYISM show, Speed Round, that she not only hosted but also produced. Katie is also now hosting No Filter, a daily web series that puts a humorous spin on headlines anywhere from sports to pop culture. A diehard Boston sports fan, her humor and witty comments are what landed Nolan a job on one of the biggest networks. Oh and she just happens to be strikingly gorgeous.
Katie was kind enough to take time out of her busy schedule to answer some questions for me, so let’s get to know our newest favorite sportscaster.
22 Questions with Katie Nolan
1. After you graduated Hofstra University with a degree in public relations, how did you get into the broadcasting world?
I was part of that lucky group of kids who graduated from college at a time when there were 15 total jobs available in the entire world. So once I faced the facts that I wasn’t going to get a job in my field, I moved back to Boston and got a job at a bar full-time. I ended up starting a blog to keep myself occupied during the day, which a bigger blog discovered, and eventually they asked me to make a daily YouTube series for them. That evolved from an awful, low-budget webcam video into a full-fledged, 5-minute green screen production that I was writing, editing, and producing all by myself out of my apartment 5 days a week. That’s when I realized I loved doing this so much more than public relations.
2. Tell us about the time you were first approached to work for Fox Sports. What was going through your head?
To be honest, I convinced myself it wasn’t real. You’d be surprised how many networks are actively looking for people on YouTube. I got SO excited the first time one of them contacted me, and I got all dressed up for a Skype interview that ended with “we’re just going to keep you in mind, you don’t have nearly enough experience to work for us.” By the 5th time that happened I started to get realistic (and a little frustrated) about it. No one was going to give me a shot because I didn’t have experience, but I’d never get any experience if no one gave me a shot. When I heard from Fox Sports I told myself not to get my hopes up again. I had no idea it would happen the way it did. I’m very grateful to Fox for taking a chance on me.
3. We have to ask, what is it like working with one of the most famous media personalities, Regis Philbin?
Incredible. He has the energy of a 30 year old, but then he’s so kind and caring like a grandpa. There are days where he’ll come and sit next to me on the couch when I’m trying to write some of my comedy bits for the show, and he’ll read them out loud off my computer screen and laugh and say “great job, kid, that’s very funny!” Are you kidding me?? I have to pinch myself.
4. What is the best part of being on Crowd Goes Wild?
The fact that this is my job. I still don’t get it. I’ve gotten to meet some of the biggest names in sports. I threw darts blindfolded with Mike Tyson and played skyhook beer pong against Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. At work. What is that about.
5. Since joining CGW, has your life changed in anyway and if so how?
It’s much more exciting, that’s for sure. And I wear high heels now because someone puts them on me. But outside of work I’m still a pretty boring person who spends an unacceptable amount of time in sweatpants.
6. What sporting event would be your dream to cover?
Being at Fenway for the World Series this year is going to be pretty hard to top, but I’d love to cover Olympic hockey.
7. If you could interview anyone, dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Oh man. I hate this question because there’s so much riding on what I say! I’d love to sit down with Cam Neely because I grew up watching him play and now he’s the president of the Bruins. Or maybe Babe Ruth. You’re supposed to pick a dead guy, right?
8. We know you are a die-hard Boston fan, but what is your favorite sport to watch?
It’s a tie between hockey and football.
9. How do you balance health and fitness with your job?
There are days at work that I laugh so hard my abs are sore for the next two days. TWO DAYS. So the work/fitness balance is clearly something I’m still trying to find time for.
10. What advice would you give to someone wanting to become a sports broadcaster?
Don’t give up. Don’t listen to anyone. Know your stuff, have your opinion, put that opinion out there, and stand by it. Haters gonna hate.
11. Do you have a motto/quote you live by?
Well apparently it’s “haters gonna hate.”
12. What are your guilty pleasures?
Shake Shack burgers. Oh my god they’re so good. Also, that show ‘Nashville’ because Connie Britton is a queen.
13. We know you are a social media girl, so who is your favorite Twitter account to follow?
There are a lot of sports parody accounts out there that are hilarious. @PeytonsHead makes me laugh pretty consistently. And of course, @Regis. He’s still figuring out how Twitter works and it’s hilariously adorable.
14. Is there anyone you would like to follow you that doesn’t yet?
I feel like I sound like a jerk if I say I don’t know who follows me but I really don’t. I remember the day Michelle Beadle did and I squealed like a small child. But honestly, I’m more than happy to tweet to 2 followers. There’s less to worry about before you push send.
15. If we looked in your fridge right now, what would we find?
Beer. I’m sure there would be food in there, but that’s because I have roommates. I can honestly say in this apartment right now I have 2 boxes of Kraft mac & cheese (elbows, obvi), an apple (maybe?), and beer.
16. We know you are absolutely hysterical but do you have any other hidden talents?
Oh stop it you’re making me blush. I used to be a rhythmic gymnast? That’s my go-to fun fact. I definitely don’t still have that talent though. I CAN dance, but I spend so much time dancing like a goofball that it’d be really hard to convince anyone of that.
17. What has been the hardest struggle that you have faced in your life and how did you overcome it?
I’ve been very lucky in that I know I’ve had a relatively easy life in comparison to the struggles a lot of people have been through. I have a wonderful and supportive family, and luckily we have all stayed in generally good health (though my mother is a cancer survivor. Love you, mom!). I think everyone goes through things that are difficult for them, and as a woman in the male-dominated fields of sports media and comedy it’s not hard to imagine what my obstacles have been, but I say bring it on. You don’t get anywhere by dwelling on what happens to you.
18. What is your proudest achievement to date?
Is it weird to just say getting here? When I showed up to my audition for Fox, I had never even seen a teleprompter before, and I walked into a room full of veteran broadcasters. I wanted to turn around and run out and cry because I felt like I didn’t belong there and was going to embarrass myself. But I stayed, and I stuck it out. Granted, I did embarrass myself, but it’s a beautiful moment when you realize that’s hardly the worst thing in the world.
19. All our guy readers are dying to know, are you single, taken or locked down?
Is the difference between “taken” and “locked down” a ring? If so, I’m taken. If it’s wonderfulness of the person you’re with, I’m totally locked down.
20. Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I have absolutely no idea and I think that’s amazing and exciting.
21. How do you want to be remembered?
For being fun. I want to make you laugh and make sports fun again. I’m never going to bring you breaking news or know Peyton’s QB rating in post-season cold weather games off the top of my head, but damn it I’m going to make you laugh.
22. Who do you want to nominate to be our next Sports Babe of the Day?
Molly McGrath. Swoon.
