Taylor Rooks
Anchor and Reporter
SportsNet New York
Sideline Reporter
CBS Sports Network
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Taylor Rooks has just joined SportsNet New York as an anchor and reporter. She will also be a sideline reporter for CBS Sports Network. Previously, Rooks was an on-air host, reporter, and correspondent for the Big Ten Network (BTN). In that role, she made nightly appearances on the popular sports television show, BTN Live, alongside Dave Revsine, Mike Hall, and Rick Pizzo, in addition to analysts such as Jim Jackson, Chuck Long, and Glen Mason.
While there, Rooks enjoyed interacting with fans and using social media engagement to bring topics of interest to the BTN audience into the studio. Rooks also reported regularly on Big Ten Games throughout the season, and hosted the Women’s Sports Report, alongside Lisa Byington. The show covered all women’s sports in the Big Ten
The Path
“For as long as I can remember, I always have loved being in front of the camera. I’m also very talkative and very passionate about sports. So I figured, why not combine all of my skills to become a sports broadcaster? I like bringing information to people who don’t have insider access,” Rooks said in an interview with BTN.
While studying at the University of Illinois, Rooks worked for Scout.com. She reported on national stories related to football and basketball recruiting. At 19, she made her debut on CBS Sports Network reporting on the WBB Pre-NIT Championship. Rooks internships included stints at the PGA TOUR, Comcast SportsNet Chicago, and Fox Sports/Scout.com.
Noteworthy
Sports appear to run in Rooks’ blood. Her father is Thomas Rooks,the all-time leading rusher for the Illinois Fighting Illini. Rooks is the niece of St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Famer, Lou Brock, and former Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints NFL player, Marv Woodson.
@TaylorRooks tweeted
Michael Phelps really just won two gold medals in an hour…………
I ate an Oreo.— Taylor Rooks (@TaylorRooks) August 10, 2016
