Former Oregon Cheerleader Tackles Hosting Duties with Fox Sports

Going from college cheerleader to sports show co-host might not seem like an easy transition. But former University of Oregon cheerleader Katelynn Johnson is making the most of her new role.

Johnson, 23, and a native of Springfield, Oregon, graduated from the University of Oregon in 2010 with a degree in sociology. Even before graduation came, Johnson was already trying out for the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading squad and receiving an offer from Foxsports.com to co-host a new online sports show called "The College Experiment." On the show, Johnson is a member of "Team Hot Girl," and travels the country visiting colleges to get a sense of the college atmosphere. She also visits other areas to try out various extreme sports.

Despite being mostly a rookie at doing her new hosting job, Johnson comes off as a natural on camera. In one episode she's getting a crash course, literally, on how to flow board. In another, she gets down and dirty in the annual "Mud Bowl" at the University of Michigan.

It has been a quick move from being on the sideline cheering for Oregon football, basketball, volleyball and wrestling. But, it isn't the first time Johnson has found herself being in the public eye. During her senior year at Oregon, Johnson had the unfortunate luck of getting publicity for being hit in the head with a water bottle during a wild post-game incident after the Ducks beat the University of Arizona in Arizona. But she had a better spotlight shining on her when Foxsports.com featured her in its 2010 Cheerleader of the Year online contest, where she made the semi-finals.

Besides cheerleading and hosting, Johnson has also regularly modeled, leaving her with a lot of different career avenues to explore in the future.

Why did you choose to attend Oregon?

Oregon was kind of an opportunity given to me by the cheerleading squad itself. I was actually planning on going to Portland State University, but I tried out for the team first and made it, so I kind of felt like it was "supposed to be."

How long have you been cheerleading?

I actually only cheered in college. However, I have danced since age 3, and that has been my main focus up until Oregon cheerleading in 2006.

Did you or do you play any other sports?

Of course! I grew up with my brother who is two years older than me. I had to do everything that he did. I played basketball, volleyball, softball, and of course, danced. However, amongst the "sports," I excelled mostly in softball. I like to do all kinds of activities such as bike riding, hiking, 4-wheeling and just being outside.

What was it like cheering at Oregon?

Oregon is insane. I enjoyed being able to do what I love in front of 60,000 screaming fans. Just this interaction with the crowd and being able to travel was amazing. I do believe that experiencing this team in college has prepared me for my future and has shaped me into a well rounded individual.

While you were at Oregon the cheerleading squad was voted the hottest cheerleaders in college football and basketball in an ESPN Magazine players poll. What did you think of that?

It was actually quite funny. It brought a lot of attention to our team which made us work harder as a whole. We knew somehow we had caught the nation's attention and we wanted to keep it. I think Oregon cheerleading is, and will always be, a well-known organization.

How did it feel to be part of a national voting competition for 2010 Cheerleader of the Year for Fox Sports?

It was amazing! It was so cool to see that such a huge corporation was recognizing me. I mean its not like college cheerleaders get recognized with a Heisman or anything.

Did you get a lot of sympathy from teammates, fellow students or the general public, after being named as the cheerleader who was hit with the bottle following the Oregon-Arizona game?

Some cared, some didn't. It was a big deal at the time because we didn't know if the cheerleaders were being targeted or someone was just throwing stuff in the crowd. I had so much support from my community, friends, and even received student/fan letters from both Oregon and Arizona.

What did you do after graduation?

Actually I missed graduation. I graduated three weeks early because I got called up by one of the Dallas Cowboys cheerleading recruiters to try out for the squad. I was in Dallas for a few months, and got eliminated hours before the team was announced. It was such an ongoing process of not knowing. It was a great experience being in their training camp, but in the end that was not where I was supposed to end up.

During the training camp I got a call from Foxsports.com where they asked me to be part of their online show called "The College Experiment." I told them if I didn't make the squad to sign me up. Soon after I was cut, I was announced as a co-host to Josh Wolf. I currently travel to different colleges and experience the "sports/extreme sports" atmosphere. It really reminds me of the old show called "The Best Damn Sports Show."

Some of the videos on FoxSports.com have you learning about tailgating at Ole Miss, Tennessee, USC and Oregon. What was it like being at the different colleges?

It is amazing to actually experience tailgating. I never got to do it in college, so it is fun to see the different traditions and what not.

How was it going back to Oregon in a different role?

It was a bit different. I was so used to being a cheerleader, I kind of forgot how to be "neutral" fan. It was still enjoyable though. There were some pretty cool Duck traditions going on out there that I had no idea they even existed.

Was the flow boarding assignment as much fun as it looked?

It was so hard! When I watched the pros do it, it looked like an easy catch on, but it was way hard. I know how to wakeboard but it was completely different. The guys there were great though and said I was pretty good for a beginner. I love trying new things so I was down to do the flow boarding piece. I recently did a rodeo, and (soon) I am going to a college x-games competition.

What other places have you traveled to? What has been your favorite experience so far?

I have traveled to a lot of different places throughout the U.S. My favorite college town so far has to be the shoot we did in Tennessee. I mean, get real, they tailgate on yachts. What girl doesn't want to hang out in the sun before a good game? Also, I had a great experience doing the "Mud Bowl" piece. I can't believe those Michigan students got down and dirty and played in that freezing water and mud. I know, I tried it.

What type of preparation do you go through when you visit each place?

Before each piece I do some research on the school I am going to and the event that I am covering. Since the shoot consists of me "seeking out the college atmosphere" I don't do too much research because I like to be surprised at what I find.

Had you ever done anything like "The College Experiment" hosting before?

I have done a few hosting gigs. Nothing huge, but they aired in Oregon when I went to school. I just enjoy talking to people and striking conversation. There are so many interesting personalities, and I'm happy to be able to just meet a few.

Does your natural personality come out on the show?

I hope so! I don't ever try to be something I'm not. I think it is very important to be yourself on and off camera, because I have found you're more approachable and easy to talk to.

Is broadcasting or hosting something you ever thought you'd get into?

I knew I would be doing something with people. I have experience on camera so I think it just kind of came naturally to me. I also believe things happen for a reason. Fox could have picked anyone, they took a chance on me.

What are your goals for the future?

I think it is important for everyone to have short and long term goals. As of right now, I just want to continue exploring my career opportunities and see what this hosting gig could do for me. But, who knows. You'll just have to see.

Videos of Johnson's segments on "The College Experiment" can be found online at www.foxsports.com. Johnson also loves keeping in touch with her fans, and can be followed on Twitter at twitter.com/_katelynn_ or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001494483927.