Alumna Emily Proud was recently named one of the nation’s “Top 30 Sportscaster Under 30” by the Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (STAA). The former Belmont women’s soccer player recently joined Nashville’s WKRN-TV (News 2) sports team.
A Knoxville, Tennessee native and four-year letterwinner on Belmont’s women’s soccer team, Proud spent the past two-plus years as a sports anchor/reporter at WATE-TV (ABC) in Knoxville. Proud earned her bachelor of arts degree in journalism, with a sports and media emphasis. While at Belmont, she was honored by the Southeast Journalism Conference in the categories of “Best Feature Writer” and “Best TV Reporter.” The former Bruin midfielder worked as a sideline reporter at the OVC Basketball Tournament and was part of Belmont’s run of OVC Digital Network Program of Excellence Awards.
“There’s just something about sports that brings out the best qualities in people,” Proud told the Knoxville News Sentinel in a 2017 story about her budding career. “There are always stories of triumph and determination, and that’s why I’ve always been drawn to it. I love hearing athletes’ stories, because so many stories of perseverance come out of athletics.”
The 2018 “Top 30 Under 30” was compiled by STAA owner Jon Chelesnik with input from sportscasters, agents, sports radio and TV industry executives and social media. According to the website, “The job market also influences who is on the list. Earning network and major market opportunities at a young age are strong measures of talent and intangibles.”
