Desmond Purnell - Bio

Desmond is an award-winning sports anchor and reporter for CW33 News at Nine, in Dallas, Texas.

A graduate of Mississippi State University, with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, Desmond began his career as a one man band at WCBI, in Columbus, Mississippi. Desmond then realized if he was to truly grow as a sportscaster, he'd eventually have to leave his home state. He went on to cover sports in Rapid City, South Dakota and Monroe, Louisiana before returning to WABG In Mississippi, where he was recognized by the Associated Press for Best Sports Feature.

A year later, Desmond found himself at KYTX in Tyler, Texas. There, Desmond covered the Dallas Mavericks' heartbreaking loss to the Miami Heat during the 2006 NBA Finals. Those experiences helped prepare Desmond for his current role here in Dallas-Fort Worth with CW33. And So far, he's loving it! Desmond was recently nominated for a Lone-Star Emmy only months into his new job at KDAF 33.

Desmond sings in the choir at Memorial Temple C.O.G.I.C. He's also a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. When he's not reporting, Desmond enjoys lifting weights and playing basketball. He recently won an Emmy Award for his special, "Farewell to Texas Stadium".

Desmond Purnell - Resumé

E-mail: Click here to reach Desmond by e-mail.
Telephone: 662-648-9878

EDUCATION

Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS - Bachelor of Arts, Communications, 2002

EXPERIENCE

KDAF Dallas, TX (Dec. 2006 - Present)

Weeknight Sports Anchor

• • Produce, write and anchor sportscasts
• • Contribute live reports and packages for sportscasts
• • Edit for sportscasts
• • Cover Dallas Cowboys, Mavericks, Stars, Desperados, Texas Rangers, and college athletics

KYTX Tyler, TX (May 2005 - Dec 2006)

Sports Anchor/Reporter/Photographer

WABG-TV Greenville, MS ( March 2004 - May 2005)

Sports Anchor/Reporter/Photographer

KEVN Fox 7 Rapid City, SD (May 2003 - Sept 2003)

Sports Anchor/ Reporter/Photographer

WMC-TV Memphis, TN ( Feb 2003 - May 2003)

Sports Intern

HONORS AND ACTIVITIES

• • 2009 Emmy Award (Best One-Time Sports Special, "Farewell to Texas Stadium")
• • 2009 AP Award, Second Place (Best Documentary/TV Magazine or Special)
• • 2008 Emmy Nomination (Best Sports Reporter)
• • 2008 Emmy Nomination (Specialty Assignment Report/ Program Feature)
• • 2007 Emmy Nomination (Best Sports-News feature)
• • 2005 AP Award (Best Sports Feature)
• • Holmes CC Horizon Award for Journalism
• • MSU Athletic Honor Roll
• • MSU Football Team 2000 - 2002
• • Member of National Association of Black Journalists

REFERENCES

Available upon request.