ESPN marked the end of an era Tuesday by honoring longtime broadcaster Pam Ward following her retirement.
Videos by FanBuzz
Photo credit: Getty Images
The network released a video tribute celebrating Ward's nearly three-decade career, featuring messages from WNBA legends Tamika Catchings and Rebecca Lobo, Indiana Fever coach Stephanie White, ESPN colleague Holly Rowe and others.
"You're someone I've looked up to," Rowe said in the video. "I've always admired your courage on play by play for college football. You have been so wonderful for so long, and I hope you look at this past career with joy and happiness because you deserve that."
Ward joined ESPN in 1996 as an ESPNEWS anchor and most recently served as a play by play broadcaster for women's college basketball, college softball and the WNBA. Her résumé also included studio work across multiple sports.
In 2000, Ward made history by becoming the first woman to call a Division I college football game, handling play-by-play duties for Bowling Green vs. Toledo on ESPN2. The following season marked her first full year calling college football after previously working as a sideline reporter.
Pam Ward recently retired from ESPN after nearly 30 years with the company
A salute & thank you to Ward - whose pioneering career started on ESPNEWS in 1996 & included play-by-play & host roles across #NCAAWBB, #NCAASoftball, @ESPNCFB, #WNBA & more pic.twitter.com/FioSybTf5r— ESPN PR (@ESPNPR) December 23, 2025
Ward was honored with the Jake Wade Award in 2010 by College Sports Communicators for outstanding contributions to intercollegiate athletics coverage. During her time at ESPN, she also appeared on programs including "WNBA Shootaround," "NBA Today," "NFL Tonight" and "NHL 2Night," while hosting radio coverage for both the NFL and Major League Baseball.
"I'm going to miss sitting next to you calling WNBA games or college games," Lobo said in the tribute. "The first college game I ever did as an analyst, you were my play-by-play. You took very good care of me then, and you've taken very good care of me ever since."
