ir arms to get a USA chant started. In Sundays win over Senegal, the crowd was behind the underdogs shouting down any American cheers.

Her Twitter bio reads: CNN Correspondent. Bison. California soul. Silicon Valley raised. NYC sharpened. The reference to her alma mater -- Howard University, from which she graduated in 1995 with a degree in broadcast journalism -- is subtle, but it is an integral part of Stephanie Elams personal history.You see, once youre a Bison, which is the universitys mascot and how current students and alumni affectionately refer to one another, youre a Bison for life.As a former Howard swimmer, Elam says it was that sense of unity and competition learned on the team that helped her progressively navigate her professional life. Now, as an accomplished journalist, she credits her college experience with giving her the confidence to truly pursue and tackle her dreams head-on.espnW caught up with Elam, 42, before she headed back to Howard for its famed homecoming festivities to get insight on her post-college life and more.This interview has been edited for length.espnW: How did you feel when you were about to leave college and (essentially) your athletic career? What was going through your mind? Stephanie Elam: I knew my athletic career had a time limit. I was OK with that part. The thing that was scary for me was leaving the comfort of my whole Howard family, and then moving to New York City. I was like ... Oh, wow, this is adulting for real. When I think back to the spring [before graduation], everyone was buzzing around asking Do you have a job? Do you have a job? I remember everyone talking about their job pursuits. And I felt good about having secured a position, but I was also completely aware that Ill never have the undergraduate experience again.?espnW: How did your first couple of years out of college go? What did you do? SE: When I graduated, I took an internship with Dow Jones Newswires in New York City. So initially I wasnt necessarily sure of what the future held, but at the end of the summer, they offered me a full-time job. And living in NYC wasnt something I set out do, it wasnt on the top of my to-do list, thats just where I ended up. However, it was a good way to enter New York City -- and prepped with that sports background -- I knew that if you had challenges ahead, you had to try to conquer them. Youre trained to do that as an athlete. I just had to figure it out.I got promoted every year I was there -- to the point where I knew I wasnt going to get promoted again, as the people in the next tier had been there for a really long time. Some friends from work were interviewing for another company, so I also went out for a position there as well, and ended up taking a job with Bridge News. That was another real test -- do I leave the comfort of a job I already know, or do I branch out and do something new? But, I took that leap of faith, and it was good for me on so many levels. It improved my life financially, and my sense of responsibility. Overall, I think sports teaches you that you can surmount lifes hurdles if you just give it a good try.espnW: Since college, what choices have you made to set you up for where you are now?SE: I majored in broadcast journalism, because I was like, Well, I like to write, and I like people. I do think I was true to myself when I selected my major. And I think thats a huge part of what set me up for future success. Also, networking helped me. Overall, I think as women, we need to learn how to network a bit better. Its useful on many levels. You can even create connections for other people -- help define those synergies. It doesnt have to benefit you directly, but it loops you in, and those organic connections are what makes a difference in the long run.espnW: What was the best piece of advice you received when leaving college? SE: Take risks. You can afford to do that when youre young. You might find something you really love, that you never thought to pursue. I wish I had done that a bit more.espnW: What lessons did you take from being an athlete that have applied to your working life? SE: Youre always on a team in corporate America, so the focus on teamwork is important. In my job, we very much operate as a unit. So, that team-life doesnt go away just because youre not competing athletically. Being an athlete has taught me how to trouble shoot during those difficult moments, and figure it out. Thats something that sports truly teaches you. As you never want to let your teammates down.espnW: Professionally, what was your first failure? And what did it teach you? SE: I wish I had considered sports journalism a bit more seriously. All of the features I created in college were sports-related. But, at the time there werent a lot of high-profile women in sports-related journalism -- and I have three older brothers, so Im very comfortable in a male-dominated setting -- but I still had apprehension. So, its not an actual failure, but its something where I wish I could go back and tell younger Stephanie to go ahead and give it a try.?espnW: Did you have a strategy to keep sports/fitness in your life? SE: No, I actually didnt. Especially because I was a swimmer, and in NYC, that was not ... at all happening. Now that Im living in California, Im married with a child, my husband -- who was also collegiate swimmer, and we made sure our daughter was water-safe really early on. We swim, bike, kayak and do lots of walking as a family.espnW: Whats unique about Howard University thats helped you in your professional life? SE: Theres no place like Howard. And the generational understanding [amongst alumni] is just priceless. ?My sister went to Howard, my brother went to Howard, so HU is almost a member of the family. Howard University helped develop me into the woman I am today. There is just something special about stepping on that campus.espnW: What do you wish you knew before graduating that you know now? SE: That Id never be able to recapture that same feeling [I had at Howard]. You take it for granted when youre a student. How many times in life are you just going to be around such beautiful, smart and like-minded people?Ericka N. Goodman-Hughey is a senior editor at espnW and fellow Howard University alum. Follow her on Twitter @ericka_editor Dale Hawerchuck Jersey . 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The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. RIO DE JANEIRO -- Everywhere Sue Bird looks on the court, theres someone in a U.S. jersey that can score. Its a point guards dream.From top to bottom this version of the American Olympic womens basketball team is stacked with offensive weapons. And at the early pace they are scoring at the Rio Games, they might break the 1996 teams record average of 102.4 points a game.Diana Taurasi scored 13 points and Sylvia Fowles added 12 on Monday as the U.S. posted its second blowout in as many days, beating Spain 103-63 on Monday. Thats two consecutive contests the U.S. scored at least 100 points -- the last time the Americans did that was in 2004.A lot of Olympic teams that Ive been on have had offensive power, but now we go all the way down the line to the 12th player, said Bird, who had nine points and five assists in the win. And the minute you stop theres no let-off. That person comes in and can do just as much offensively as the next. And also, we have our foot on the gas pedal.Were trying to get better in every single game and you cant, you cant relax. I know the score is, it is what it is. But we dont relax regardless.This team is so good offensively that reigning WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne comes off the bench and Tamika Catchings is the 12th player.Weapons. Were full of weapons. One through 12, everybody that comes in contributes to some capacity, Catchings said. And thats offensively, defensively as well. Youre talking about 100 points -- youve got to be able to score. Its fun. Its fun to watch. Its fun to be a part of. When we move the ball and everybody is just kind of like -- everybodys doing their part -- screening, rolling, cutting to the basket -- you never know where the shot is going to come from. As a team, were so selfless.The Americans (2-0) had a team-record 36 assists in the opening win. They followed that up with 23 against Spain.The victory was the 43rd consecutive for the U.S. in the Olympics. The contest was a rematch of the 2014 world championship gold medal game that the Americans won by 13. While this win didnt come in the same record fashion the U.S. opened the Olympics with when it beat Senegal by 65 points, the Americans coasted after the first few minutees.ddddddddddddSpain (1-1) led 8-6 before the U.S. closed the quarter on a 23-6 burst. Delle Donne was in the middle of it. She had seven points, including a 3-pointer from the wing that made it 27-11 during the game-changing spurt. The Spaniards couldnt get within single digits the rest of the way.Everyone we bring in off the bench can score and make a play, U.S. coach Geno Auriemma said. Its fun to watch. For as little time as we had together, we do a lot of really nice things out there which is nice to see.Spain fought just to stay within 20 in the second quarter, thanks in part to the play of guard Leticia Romero, who stars at Florida State. The Olympic newcomer got her first playing time of the tournament and scored five straight points as Spain trailed 54-37 at the half. She finished with nine points.It was going to be a tough game, Romero said. They have to have a really, really bad game for us to have a chance to win it. Anything that we can get from today is positive.Bird ensured there would be some tough lessons Spain could take away.Playing in her fourth Olympics, Bird started the second half with a steal and then raced down the court for the layup. A few minutes later the lead was over 20 and the rout was on as Taurasi and Brittney Griner waved their arms to get a USA chant started. In Sundays win over Senegal, the crowd was behind the underdogs shouting down any American cheers. This time they wouldnt be drowned out.Alba Torrens, who the Connecticut Sun have the rights to in the WNBA, led Spain with 20 points.Spain missed the 2012 Olympics, but won the silver at the worlds. The Spaniards have never beaten the U.S. in a major competition, falling to 0-10 at the Olympics and world championships. They haveThe U.S. next plays Serbia on Wednesday while Spain faces China.In other games on Monday, Canada improved to 2-0 for the first time in Olympic history, rallying from 18 points down to beat Serbia 71-67. Japan also is 2-0 after beating Brazil 82-66. China topped Senegal 101-64.---Follow Doug on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinberg ' ' '