When Preparation Meets Opportunity With Cornell Jones

Cornell W. Jones is a graduate of Winston-Salem State University and currently the host and producer of SportsCenter franchise segment OffSCenter, the voice of College Basketball Billboards on ESPN, and an Associate Producer in the Features Unit. Over the course of OffSCenter, Cornell has had the opportunity to interview over 50 athletes and celebrities including Von Miller, Kevin Hart, Mark Whalburg, Candace Parker, Ice Cube, Richard Sherman, and many more.

Performing over 100 voice-over packaged pieces for specialty shows as well as voicing weekly College Basketball Billboards are additional highlights of his catalogue at ESPN. In addition to these original content and voice-over responsibilities, Cornell serves as a Producer in the Features Unit servicing SportsCenter. His highlighted features include production for Dwyane Wade, Gabrielle Union, The Warriors, The British Open, Floyd Mayweather, Northwestern University, and more.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR CHILDHOOD AND WHAT YOU WANTED TO BE?

Cornell: I grew up in suburbs of Manassas, Virginia – The DMV. I was raised in the suburbs but I vacationed in the hood. My mom is a principal, and my dad is a psychological therapist. He’s from Alexandria, Virginia, which, is a little bit more rugged. I used to go there with my cousins on the weekends. Growing up was beautiful. We went to church about three days a week. I had to get A’s in school or else my mother would get on me. She was my principal in middle school and high school. I always tell people she’s suspended me twice.

I knew from a young age I wanted to talk but I didn’t know what I wanted to do. When I got to high school I started watching ESPN. I thought to myself, “These guys like talking about sports and seem to be making some money.” I wanted to go down that path so in high school I joined different clubs that allowed me access to cameras. I fell in love with that side of it as well. From age 17 on, I knew I wanted to be a reporter and anchor in the sports arena.

WHAT COLLEGE DID YOU GO TO?

Cornell: College is when I knew what I wanted to do. I studied mass communications at Winston-Salem State University. I ran track at Winston as well so my schedule was busy. It taught me how to be “who I am” if that makes sense. I went into Winston as one person and it enhanced me ten times over. As far as the home atmosphere of the HBCU, it was a vibe.

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB AFTER GRADUATION?

Upon graduation it was hard. That was the part where I struggled the most because I applied to 47 TV stations, and got a ton of job rejections. Luckily, my mom helped me out and gave me a permanent substitute teaching job. It was rough at first but then I attended a conference by the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ). It is a yearly conference you have to go to if you’re a journalist. Once I was there I started talking to different people such as Jay Harris, who’s my frat brother. 

A woman by the name of Kim Blue saw me walking by as I was waiting for Jay and she said, “Hey can I talk to you” I said, “No, I’m waiting for Jay and she said “do you want a job?”  I said, “yes I do let me tighten myself up and come talk to you.” We talked for about like 2 or 3 hours and that’s how I got my start at ESPN.