Jerry Punch

Jerry Punch, M.D. (born August 20, 1953) is an American auto racing and college football commentator on ESPN, as well as a physician. Punch also does local radio spots in Knoxville.

Early life and career

Punch began his broadcasting career in Newton, NC, when he was selected to join the local high school radio station Staff of Newton-Conover High School. The local radio station, WNNC in Newton, NC, provided free air time to the local high school broadcasting organization with rotational assignments to the aspiring broadcast journalists. Students at the high school auditioned for the much sought after staff positions. Jerry was successful and was selected by fellow students to become a new reporter and, thus, he was permitted to participate in the weekly Saturday morning live broadcasts on WNNC.

He served as backup quarterback for coach Lou Holtz at NC State and graduated magna cum laude in 1975. He received a M.D. degree from the Wake Forest University School of Medicine.

ESPN career