Federal Way Public Schools Graduates of Note
Kenny Mayne
Sports Reporter and Anchor for ESPN, Author and Celebrity
Thomas Jefferson High School
Graduate, Class of 1977
Since leaving Federal Way in the late 1970s, Kenny Mayne has become a fixture on ESPN, was the “other” Federal Way contestant on Dancing with the Stars, and has rubbed elbows with more than a few Hollywood and sports celebrities. A reporter and anchor on ESPN (the sports network), he also does commercial work and has written a book titled, “An Incomplete and Inaccurate History of Sport”, which is due to be released in April 2008. But his education in Federal Way remains a significant part of his life.
Tell us a little about your family
My wife, Laura, and I have two girls -- Riley is eight and Anna is six. In 1996 we had twin boys, Creighton and Connor, who were born too early. Creighton died at birth and Connor lived for six months.
What are your most significant accomplishments?
I’ve been with ESPN since May 1994 and my most significant accomplishment there was getting Stevie Wonder to deliver a funny line for a story I did at the baseball All Star Game in 2005.
Currently, I announce football games on SportsCenter, call some horse races and do lots of feature stories.
Please describe an experience you had in public education that inspired or motivated you.
I recall the day that my high school journalism teacher, Joe Gotchy, came into our class and explained how he’d had a difficult time finding out whether he’d been hired as a teacher or not. I can’t remember every detail, but the point of his message was to believe in yourself and take chances now and then – both of which I apply to my life to this day.
When I was in college at University of Nevada Las Vegas, my English teacher asked us to paraphrase a Shakespeare sonnet. Besides the assignment, I wrote a poem to go with it. The teacher was very impressed and that episode gave me a good deal of new confidence regarding working spontaneously, which is also something I use in my career today.
What advice would you like to share with teachers in schools today?
Even given the crazy emphasis on testing we have going these days, I would advise teachers to divorce themselves some from the course outline. Deviate from the script once in awhile and teach kids something that will help them in later life.
What advice do you have for today’s students?
My advice for students is simple – do something. Find a class, a job or volunteer situation that improves you as a person and widens your interests. Then READ so you can WRITE. And don’t just read about subjects that interest you, read about other topics and techniques that may one day help you in whatever you pursue.
Please tell us about your experience on Dancing With the Stars
A representative from ABC asked that I appear on the second season of the show. When I found out money was involved and Jerry Rice (a retired pro-football player) was also joining the cast, I said, “Yes.” I’m glad I did even though my partner and I were unfairly bounced out in the first round. Now I work part-time for the show.