The V Foundation for Cancer Research, a top-rated cancer research charity, is excited to announce Jay Bilas and Sage Steele have been named as the newest members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Bilas, a lawyer and college basketball analyst, has been with ESPN since 1995 in multiple roles, including co-host of “College GameDay.” Steele has been with ESPN since 2007, hosting multiple shows including lead role for “SportsCenter on the Road.” Steele is one of ESPN’s most popular and respected commentators, and Bilas is known for his knowledge of the game and his professional, clever style.
“It’s an honor to welcome Sage and Jay to our team,” said Steven Bornstein, V Foundation Chairman of the Board. “Their relationship with ESPN, coupled with their passion for the V Foundation, make Sage and Jay ideal Board members for furthering our mission to achieve Victory Over Cancer®. They will continue our long-standing tradition of having exemplary ESPN on-air personalities on our Board, like Dick Vitale and the late John Saunders.”
Bilas, a graduate of Duke University, was a four-year starter on the men’s basketball team under Mike Krzyzewski from 1982-1986 and was a member of the 1986 ACC Championship team and the 1986 NCAA Championship team. Bilas also played against Jim Valvano’s 1983 National Championship team. Following his college career, Bilas was drafted by the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks and played professionally overseas in Italy and Spain. In 1990, Bilas returned to Duke as an assistant coach under Krzyzewski while earning his law degree from Duke. During his time as an assistant coach, Duke won back-to-back National Championships in 1991 and 1992. Bilas is a four-time Emmy nominee, a three-time best analyst in college basketball and a New York Times bestselling author of Toughness: Developing True Strength On and Off the Court.
Steele, a graduate of Indiana University, is the co-host on the 6 p.m. “SportsCenter.” She previously covered the Indianapolis Colts, the Indiana Pacers, the 1997 NCAA Men’s Final Four, NASCAR and the IndyCar Series. In Tampa, Fla., she covered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the 1999 NCAA Men’s Final Four and Super Bowl XXXV. Steele debuted Comcast SportsNet in Washington, D.C. and anchored “SportsNite” for six years, in addition to acting as the beat reporter for the Baltimore Ravens. Prior to moving to her current role, Steele anchored “SportsCenter:AM” and hosted “NBA Countdown.” Steele has co-hosted the Miss America pageant, was a featured guest on ABC’s “The View” and contributes to Disney-owned Babble. She has been a guest on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and profiled in Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, Vibe and HuffPost.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by ESPN and Jim Valvano in 1993. Bilas and Steele join a stellar V Foundation Board, comprised of business leaders, award-winning athletes and coaches, distinguished physicians and world-renowned entertainers. The Board provides governance to ensure the sustainability and long-term effectiveness of the V Foundation while upholding its core principles.
