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Jenny Dell Explains Her Road From ‘Daddy’s Girl’ in Connecticut to NESN’s New Red Sox Sideline Reporter

To the most passionate, devoted fans in the world: Thank you for the warm welcome. I’m honored to be the newest member of the NESN team.

Now, a quick breakdown of how I made my way to NESN…

I grew up a “daddy’s girl” in Southbury, Conn., and spent as much time as I could watching games with my father. Since my parents are from Brooklyn, N.Y., the team we watched in our house was the Yankees. (I know, I know… keep reading)

Let’s fast forward to high school.

I started cheerleading competitively. When I wasn’t at practice, or on the sideline watching our teams’ football or basketball games, you could find me in the kitchen. After starting my own catering company, Simply Dell-icious, I received a scholarship to attend culinary school. Instead, I made the decision to attend UMass-Amherst and major in hospitality and tourism management.

My freshman year of college happened to be a year Red Sox fans — and the majority of UMass students (including my college roommates) — would call “Faith Rewarded.” The year: 2004.

As I said earlier, I grew up watching New York teams, but it wasn’t until college that I realized what it meant to be a true, passionate, loyal fan. And so, my love for the Red Sox began. (Sorry, Dad!)

During my sophomore year, I created a second major with the Bachelor Degree with Individual Concentration (BDIC) program in sport event marketing. I became a student ambassador, head of a Career Day committee and a member of the All-Girl Cheerleading Squad. In addition, I worked for the UMass Athletic Department, where I coordinated and hosted athletic events for the student body, alumni and donors.

I then graduated Summa Cum Laude from UMass a semester early and started working at ESPN. Over the next four years, I worked in the event production department, creating video packages and features (while assisting with other production needs) for the MLB, NFL, NBA, WNBA, X GAMES, college basketball, IndyCar and NASCAR.

Six months into working at ESPN, I had the opportunity to audition for an on-air position with ESPN Digital Media. I started working for ESPN.com on projects, such as Countdown Daily, filming weekly AccuScore- and IBM-sponsored segments for the NFL season, Fantasy Focus Baseball and Streak for the Cash. I covered Super Bowl XLIV and Super Bowl XLV, hosted red carpet events and interviewed many athletes and celebrities.

All of these experiences have led me to my dream job at NESN. I’m excited to share the passion of Red Sox baseball with the city of Boston and fans everywhere.

From a small town in Connecticut, to UMass, to ESPN, to Boston, I’m proud to be a New England girl, covering the sport that I love.

Don’t be shy about getting in touch. Contact me on Twitter at @JennyDellNESN.

Click here to learn more about Jenny Dell >>

Click here to see Jenny Dell’s Q&A with NESN.com >>