By Lexi Roddy, Schieffer Associate 2024
Jean Palmer ’96
Jean Palmer’s journey began with early memories of TCU, watching her mother earn a master’s degree and taking ballet classes on campus. Palm’ers goal was always to return to TCU, where she discovered a passion for production.
Her career quickly took off, starting as a runner for ABC Sports and leading to her current role as senior remote operations manager at SNY, where she covers major New York sports. Deeply grateful to TCU, Jean now gives back as a mentor and Board of Visitors member, championing networking and community for young professionals.
Tell me about yourself.
I was born in Fort Worth, and my mother was a graduate student in education at TCU earning a master’s degree. I remember taking dance classes in the ballet department as a four year old. I remember being in my mother’s classroom; she worked in as a graduate school teaching assistant. Those experiences left an impression on me. After meeting and spending time with other TCU grads, I was hooked. My parents moved back to their hometown, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, when I was 5, and I grew up there. I attended Episcopal High School, a college prep school, and always wanted to go to TCU.
What did your career path look like after graduation?
I was blessed to have been given the opportunity to work as a runner on a Monday night football game in my sophomore year at TCU and then being able to intern for ABC Sports during the Super Bowl in 1995. I continued “running” at sporting events around the country through my last two years of college. After graduation, I was planning on going to my second Indy 500 to work for ABC, when I got a call that there was an opening for a position in New York.
I worked at the Indy 500, then I immediately flew to New York to interview. I got the job in two days. In five days, I found an apartment and planned my big move. Having graduated in May 1996, I was living and working in NY by July 1 that same year.
I spent two years at ABC, first as an assistant to theremote production managers. After then, I was a production coordinator for the digital team, working on the new internet platform, AOL, on the ABC Sports site and booking talent and guests. Then, I worked for a company that changed hands three times, but it was my first job as a production manager, then senior manager, then director of remote management.
When I left there, it was 2001. 9/11 had just happened, and I was expecting my son. So, I took five years off from work to get him launched. In those five years, the industry changed exponentially. SD [standard definition] was now HD [high definition]. I had a lot to catch up on. I started back freelancing again for ABC Sports on their college football studio shows. Then I got the call.
The only sport I have never covered was baseball and the Olympics. SNY was a startup that launched in spring 2006. I came on board in early summer working as vacation relief for the operations staff. They brought me on part time, then full time. I have been here for 18 years now in the role of senior remote operations manager covering Mets baseball, Jets Football, all New York sports, U-Conn Women’s basketball and any show more than one camera at the network.
What at TCU made you feel the most prepared for your career?
I have to say that the opportunity to “find” my path with the support of the school staff was crucial to the direction of my career. When I arrived in the department, I really thought I wanted to be in front of the camera. In time, I discovered I didn’t love it, I wasn’t great at it, and I had to lean back and really re-examine my goals.
What I found was that production and planning were my strengths. At the time, TCU offered a production management track, which I took advantage of. Also, with the support of my then-professors and dean, I was able to work in my field, which was key to my transition into the workforce.
Did you know what you wanted to do when you came to TCU?
I knew I wanted to be involved in television in some aspect, specifically news or sports. As soon as I declared my major as a sophomore and took my first class, I was hooked. During that time, students spent a lot of after class hours around the department. I would have moved in if they had let me.
But it was such an enthusiastic group of students and you could tell the faculty loved what they were doing; it was a great learning environment.
So the on-camera thing didn’t work out, but I caught on early that I wanted to be in production and operations, so my teachers nurtured my interest in that area of the business.
What’s one piece of advice you have for current students?
Spend time with your teachers, listen to them, talk to them. They know people you may want to know.
Remember, networking isn’t just for planned events. If given an opportunity, say yes, show up, do the work. The online resume is great, but having face-to-face time with people in your industry is how you will get a job and get on a successful track. Your degree is wonderful, but being passionate and making sacrifices will get you where you want to go.
As an alumnus, has TCU helped you in your career after you left?
I have lifelong friends and comrades that I can always count on from my time at TCU. I loved the TCU campus and Fort Worth. Having the chance to intern and work in sports television operations while I was in school was instrumental in my getting a job right out of college. The knowledge given to me by my teachers and the faith they put in my abilities ensured my success after I left TCU.
The education I received from TCU really got me started in the right direction.
Anything else you’d like to share?
I am so proud to serve TCU on the Board of Visitors and to mentor and work with students when I can, including having several TCU students as interns in New York.