Meet Maria Sansone, one of our Sept. 12 honorees

Michael Gallagher gave Maria Sansone her start in broadcast journalism when she was 11 years old, working as a sports reporter for JET/FOX/YourErie. The St. Andrew School and Villa Maria Academy graduate earned her college degree from Syracuse University Newhouse School of Public Communications.

Did you know she played hoops at Villa?

She went on to become an Emmy Award-winning television host, with a career that has included ABC Sports, MTV, NBC, FOX and more. As a young student, she interviewed Jim Kelly Michael Jordan, Bill Cower and many more.

Here's a fun clip of Maria as a youngster on Jay Leno's show.

She is now a married mom with two kids.

Help us welcome her home on Sept. 12!