ESPN play-by-play commentator Courtney Lyle wears many hats across the college sports landscape.
Football. Volleyball. Basketball. Softball. You name it; you’ve probably heard Lyle’s voice behind it. But recently, she’s added a new hat to wear – Mom.
In June, Lyle and her husband Brett welcomed their first child, Teagan. After taking maternity leave this summer, Lyle is once again donning the headset and bringing college sports viewers all the action.
This weekend, Lyle is pulling her typical double-duty slate: She will call Louisiana at Coastal Carolina football in Charleston, S.C. (Saturday, noon ET, ESPNU) and then head to Pittsburgh Sunday to call the Top-5 volleyball matchup between visiting No. 5 Stanford and No. 1 Panthers (3 p.m., ESPN).
Take us behind the scenes to what a typical 72-hour block – Friday through Sunday – looks like for you when you have Saturday football and Sunday volleyball.
The fall is the busiest time for me. I go back and forth from college football to volleyball and then tack on basketball in November.
Over my eight years at ESPN, I’ve learned how to prioritize my prep so I feel confident on game day. It’s pretty common for me to have a football game on Saturday and volleyball on Sunday (and they are rarely — O.K., never — in the same city).
On Thursdays, I take a late flight out to my football game. Fridays are spent meeting with the head coach, offensive coordinator, and defensive coordinator of both teams. Usually, we do this at their team hotel or the home team’s practice facility. It’s so important to do these meetings in person when you can. I always feel like the coaches are a little more open and comfortable chatting in their office instead of on a video call.
Saturday: Game Day No. 1. The hours of prep and meetings pays off on Saturdays when you get to tell the story of the two teams you are covering.
As soon as the game is over, I’m heading to the airport.
Last week, I flew from Buffalo to Cincinnati and then drove just over an hour to Lexington for my volleyball match on Sunday. Sometimes, if I have a night football game, I will have to fly in the day of the volleyball game.
This probably means I’m changing clothes and putting on my makeup in the airport or arena bathroom – super glamorous, I know.
Sunday: Game Day No. 2. Volleyball time. After the match, I go back to the airport and catch a flight home. It’s a good Sunday if I walk into my house at midnight.
I’m so lucky to have amazing bosses – shout out to [ESPN VPs, Production] Amanda Gifford and Shawn Murphy, and [Coordinating Producer] Ericka Galbraith – who fully support me calling both college football and volleyball. I love both sports so much and the crazy schedule is absolutely worth it.
It’s not going to be how it was before Teagan arrived, and that’s O.K. I will still show up uber-prepared for every game I call. The path to get there just looks a little different. – Lyle
What has been the biggest adjustment for you coming back from maternity leave this fall? And what has been the most rewarding part?
My husband and I welcomed our first child in June. I could not do this job without such a supportive husband.
Brett is my biggest fan and is so encouraging when it comes to my career. He takes the lead with Teagan when I’m on the road, and I appreciate that. Without him, it would be really difficult to continue my dream job.
It has certainly been an adjustment having a now 4-month-old at home when I’m trying to prep for games. I’m constantly reminding myself to “adapt.”
It’s not going to be how it was before Teagan arrived, and that’s O.K. I will still show up uber-prepared for every game I call. The path to get there just looks a little different.
What advice have you gotten from other ESPN moms as you ventured back into the fall?
I’ve talked to so many ESPN moms in all different roles, and the advice has been much appreciated. “Mom guilt” is a real thing. I miss Teagan and Brett every second I’m gone.
While it’s hard to leave her, I do love my job. I hope one day she will see you can be a strong woman with a career and have a family. It’s not one or the other. She can be anything she wants and be a great mom.
You’re calling one of the biggest matchups of the 2024 volleyball season Sunday afternoon and you were a part of the commentator team for the first regular season volleyball match on ABC this season. What’s been an unexpected aspect of being part of ESPN’s growth of the sport?
Seeing college volleyball grow in popularity can be described in one word: wild. Early on with ESPN, I called so many matches in empty gyms.
Now, 90% of the time, people are lined up outside to get in over 2 hours before the match starts. The product should get the most credit – these women are amazing.
Every play is a slam dunk. It’s been so neat to be part of the TV side as this sport takes off. I love the constant conversations with our boss, Ericka, about what we can do better, how we can serve the diehard fan, and also educate the new volleyball fan.
I get so excited when we try something new with our coverage – it doesn’t always work, but I love that we have the freedom to try and learn. Getting to shape how we cover such a powerful sport is an honor.
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