Seth Magaziner: “As the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks prepare to meet in game 3 of the NBA Finals, I rise to celebrate Providence…”

“As the Boston Celtics and Dallas Mavericks prepare to meet in game 3 of the NBA Finals, I rise to celebrate Providence College graduate Doris Burke, a trailblazer who is making history as the first woman to call a championship broadcast in a major American men's sports league. Burke's love for basketball started at a young age and eventually brought her to Rhode Island, where she started as point guard for the Providence College Friars and led them in assists for 3 years. She was selected to the Big East All-Tournament Team twice and graduated as PC's all-time assist leader. Later in life, she continued to pursue her passion by calling Providence women's basketball games. Not long after, she began calling games for ESPN, where she became recognized for her keen insights and encyclopedic knowledge of the game. Throughout her 34-year career, Doris has broken one barrier after another: first woman to call a Big East men's basketball game, to call a New York Knicks game, and first woman to call the Conference Finals and NBA Finals on radio and television. It is an inspiration to see and hear Doris Burke as millions of Americans tune in to the NBA Finals. ____________________”