Tiffany Greene continues to accomplish her goals.
The veteran ESPN play-by-play announcer and Florida A&M graduate wanted to announce the Cricket Celebration Bowl. Check.
Greene also aspired to announce the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference Bowling Championship. As of 2023… check.
Greene recently called the 2023 MEAC Bowling Championship final between North Carolina A&T State and Monmouth. It’s hard to tell who had more fun, the bowlers fighting for the title on national television or Greene sharing the joy of the match with viewers.
“This is a full-circle moment for me,” Greene said recently during a phone conversation. “This was the first time I’ve done any bowling announcing. However, I put it in the atmosphere because I had told my bosses that one of my goals was to call the MEAC Bowling Championship. When the request came in from (MEAC Assistant Commissioner for Strategic Communications) Karen (Carty) and the conference for the broadcast, I was honored that they asked me.
“I love the fact God has placed me in a position that I hoped and dreamed of, and to be able to call the sport that I played in college as an analyst is humbling and cool.”
Greene was a member of the first bowling team in Rattlers’ history. She spent much of her time during a summer enrichment program while in high school bowling and playing pool at Galimore Lanes in Tallahassee, Fla.
While bowling for fun, Greene had no idea she was sowing seeds for her future.
“I held my own in the middle of the lineup,” Greene said with a hearty laugh. “I was a part of history, and that was cool. The guy who ran the bowling alley at the time was Lamar Gaines. When I arrived for my freshman year, he remembered me and asked, ‘Do you still bowl?’ I had on sandals and rolled a game, and he offered me a scholarship because he told me FAMU was starting a women’s bowling team.”
A distinguished member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Greene has turned her experience as a student-athlete into one of the best play-by-play voices in the industry. She brings an informed and entertaining perspective while calling games. The foundation of resilience, preparation, hard work, dedication, and perseverance have been the keys to Greene’s success.
While calling college football is fantastic, Greene is thrilled with being able to shine a bright light on women’s sports and opening doors for those aspiring to work in sports media. She was a play-by-play announcer during the first two rounds of the College Park sub-regional of the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament, and she’s also calling a full slate of softball this spring.
“I love the opportunity that I’ve been blessed with to highlight these phenomenal young women for their elite talent,” Greene said. “It’s well earned for these fantastic athletes. I think about when I was at FAMU; we didn’t have television coverage. To be able to watch the progression of coverage of women’s athletics and provide it to the masses is something I don’t take lightly.
“I am very intentional in connecting with young people because I know somebody took the time for me, and I want to be that bridge for somebody else. That’s a big deal. It’s core and important to who I am. I’ve been gifted with this platform, which matches my desire to put it to good use.”
Greene is married to Aaron and is the mother of two boys: Bryson, who is six, and Aaron, better known as “Deuce,” who is two. She knows the support and love from her family make it possible for Greene to call major events for ESPN from coast to coast and travel the country.
“My village isn’t complete without my husband and the sacrifices we all endure to live this dream,” Greene said. “One thing I will say is to give yourself grace because it is hard to leave your home weekly to do something you love. Grace plays an important part in the process, and remember you’re human, and I know that I am giving the best I can give to my children and husband.”
Greene may bleed orange and green, but her heart is with all HBCUs. She’s passionate when speaking about them, which is why assignments such as the Cricket Celebration Bowl and MEAC Bowling Championship meant so much to her.
“I care about HBCUs, and to be able to display my heart for them on a grand stage like that is special,” Greene said. “The history means a lot to me. Who wouldn’t want to talk about world changers and difference-makers who continue to make an impact beyond being a student-athlete at an HBCU? Those stories aren’t always told.
“Being intentional about telling those stories brings me joy at the end of the day because so much good is happening. You can always find inspiration and motivation. There are a lot of people like Nicole (Hutchison), Jay (Walker), and Charlie Neal who are interested in being gatekeepers and continuing to share the message of HBCUs.”
Courtesy: MEAC, Rob Knox
