Courtesy the Oklahoman

(November 29, 2010) It's been a hectic year and a half for Erin Andrews, ESPN's best-known sideline reporter and in her first year as a host and reporter on the popular “College GameDay” show, which was in Stillwater on Saturday. In July 2009, an illicit “peephole” video of her taken in her hotel room appeared on the Internet and her stalker eventually received a 27-month prison sentence. Last spring, she was among the three finalists on ABC's “Dancing With the Stars.” After receiving contract offers from other networks, she signed a new multiyear deal in July with ESPN/ABC, where she also serves as a correspondent for “Good Morning America.” A University of Florida graduate, she served as a Tampa Bay Lightning reporter and TBS baseball studio host before being hired by ESPN.

My dad is in the industry. He is an investigative reporter with WFLA in Tampa. To run around the TV station and play on the set wasn't really that big a deal for us. The biggest thing was that he's such a passionate sports fan and I'm the oldest of two girls. I was the one that wanted to be the little boy, the tomboy of the family. I wanted my dad's approval so much I would sit on the couch and watch the games with him. That's how I developed my passion for sports. We cheered for all the teams that my dad pulled for — the Boston Celtics, the Red Sox and the Green Bay Packers.

I never really wanted to play sports. I was always into dance with my sister. We did it all — ballet, tap, jazz, gymnastics. I don't know if it helped me out too much with “Dancing With the Stars,” because I still feel I looked pretty awkward. If anything helped me, it was just being on TV for a living — just being used to cameras around me.

When TBS called and asked if I wanted to be the studio host for the Braves broadcasts, I was only 22 and right out of school and working with the Lightning; I wasn't ready for that job. I was like a deer in headlights. I was terrible. They actually let me go after two years, which they should have.

Being a sideline reporter is my cardio for the day. It's a workout. I'm always on the run. I get so involved and excited in the game that a lot of time I have had officials, even people that work with the team, ask me to get off the field. I will forget that I'm not playing. In the end, it's fun to dress up in sparkles and sequins — and they'll be more time for that in another part of my life — but right now, I love where I am.

One of the reasons I went on “Dancing With the Stars” was that it allowed me to put a face to stalking and victims that have been afraid to face it before. I want them to know that you didn't do anything wrong. It's not your fault. We need to get better laws for stalking. They are a joke right now. They're embarrassing. There are way too many people being stalked. My life has changed. Unfortunately, my family's life has changed. I obviously don't travel the same anymore. I'm very skittish. I honestly think I'm one of the most friendly people out there. But unfortunately now, I'm very guarded.

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