Maria Taylor honored with 2016 John E. Drewry Young Alumni Award

ESPN college analyst and reporter Maria Taylor, a 2009 graduate of Grady College, is the 2016 recipient of the John E. Drewry Young Alumni Award.  The award recognizes a graduate of the last decade who has experienced a successful early career.

Taylor serves as a studio host, sideline reporter and volleyball/basketball analyst for the SEC Network.

Prior to joining ESPN, Taylor was a reporter, host and analyst for IMG College at the University of Georgia. During that time, she also freelanced at Comcast Sports South as a Georgia high school and SEC football sideline reporter and contributed to studio shows including “The Dawg Report,” “SEC Men's Basketball Tonight” and “SportsNite.” Taylor has also worked as a freelance women's basketball analyst for Fox Sports South, Raycom Sports, Turner Sports and the ACC Digital Network.

Taylor will receive the award during “Grady Salutes: A Celebration of Achievement, Commitment and Leadership” on May 6 at 6 p.m. at the UGA Conference Center and Hotel.  This year’s other Alumni Award recipients are:

•   Ernie Johnson Jr. — John Holliman Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award

•   Michael Abramowitz—Henry W. Grady Mid-Career Alumni Award

•   Eric Haley—Distinguished Alumni Scholar Award

Date: April 19, 2016

Contact:  Diane Murray, murrayd@uga.edu