Malika Andrews ('17), the nationally acclaimed sports journalist and host of ESPN’s “NBA Today” and "NBA Countdown," will return to The Bluff on Monday, Sept. 16 for an exclusive interview event from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in Buckley Center Auditorium.
“Malika is an exceptional Pilot and a wonderful representative of the University of Portland,” President Robert Kelly said in an email.
The gathering is reserved for students, faculty, staff and invited guests, and requires advance registration.
While at UP, Andrews served as a sports reporter, sports editor and later became editor-in-chief of The Beacon in 2016. She hosted a weekly sports video podcast and reported on the skull fracture of a first-year soccer player — an investigation which led to the installation of protective padding on Merlo Field’s walls.
Malika Andrews with then-Beacon News & Managing Editor Clare Duffy ('17) preparing to deliver the final print issue of The Beacon to campus newspaper stands in spring 2016. Duffy is a reporter for CNN Business in New York City, and they remain close friends.
Photo courtesy of Nancy Copic.
Nancy Copic, the assistant director for student media and adviser to The Beacon, mentored Andrews during her time at The Beacon. For Copic, Andrews exemplifies what it means to be a good student while discovering her passion.
“Malika found something she was passionate about,” Copic said. “And yes, she went to all her classes when she was at UP, but she also got the full UP experience and found something that she was passionate about and threw herself into it. And in this case, it was journalism at The Beacon, and I'm just really excited to have her here again.”
Since graduating in 2017 and leaving The Beacon’s small newsroom in St. Mary’s, where awards bearing her name now inspire future student journalists, Andrews’ career has skyrocketed.
She has worked for the Chicago Tribune, did a fellowship at The New York Times and earned recognition from the National Association of Black Journalists and the Society of Professional Journalists. In 2021, Andrews was included in Forbes 30 Under 30 and became the first woman to host the NBA Draft the following year. In May 2022, Andrews, 29, won the Sports Emmy for Outstanding Personality/Emerging On-Air Talent.
Those interested in attending the event must register by Sept. 12 using the link provided in Kelly’s email.
Riley Martinez is a member of the editorial board. He can reached at martinri24@up.edu
