Each year, I have the privilege of collaborating with Jay Harris from ESPN. He generously dedicates his time to support the fundraising initiatives of Nancy Lieberman Charities, serving as the emcee for the nonprofit’s Dream Ball Gala and participating as a celebrity golfer in the subsequent tournament. My role at the gala involves crafting the script and overseeing the production and content creation on-site. Since 2017, I have worked closely with Mr. Harris to ensure the event runs smoothly.
Through this experience, I have gained insight into Jay’s preferences regarding word choices and the manner in which he presents scripts on stage. The accompanying video interview sheds light on some of these details, which, while a bit nerdy, are quite enjoyable. For example, he believes the term “podium” is overused. I have come to appreciate his viewpoint and have adopted his suggested terminology.
However, we don’t see eye to eye on every point, as you’ll discover in the video.
In our discussion, we touched on the topic of ellipses, which Jay dislikes while I find them effective. Notice how the pacing changes when you read a sentence punctuated with ellipses. It creates a natural slowdown that wouldn’t occur with simple commas, thus strengthening my argument.
This year marked the fifteenth edition of the Dream Ball Gala. I opted to write the number in Roman numerals as a playful touch, which will become clear in the video. However, I would refrain from using that format if Jay were to read it on air during one of his SportsCenter episodes.
Jay plays a significant role in the ongoing success of the Dream Ball Gala over the years. His professionalism and approachability shine throughout the event. His careful selection of words stems from a desire to deliver an exceptional experience for his audience. With his extensive background in live television, he handles last-minute changes with ease. I also find amusement in sneakily adding the pronunciation of Devin Harris’s last name (Hair-iss) into his script, hoping it brings a smile to his face as he smoothly transitions to introducing Tommie Harris. This year, the Harrises led the event in celebrity attendance, surpassing the Turcos, Simpsons, and Paytons.
Jay holds in high regard the philanthropic endeavors of fellow Old Dominion graduate Nancy Lieberman, actively supporting her programs and events. Both he and Nancy advocate for men to undergo prostate cancer screenings. Jay is a survivor of the disease, having detected it early last year. They highlighted this on stage and continue to spread awareness at every opportunity. On Jay’s behalf, I urge you to consider getting this simple test during your next physical. And if you’re ever asked to speak about it, remember that you’re standing at a “lectern,” not a “podium.”
