Fans delighted as comedian Shane Gillis is announced as first-time host of ESPY Awards

ESPN is getting a tremendous online response after announcing comedian and Notre Dame football fan Shane Gillis will be hosting this year's ESPY Awards on July 16 in Los Angeles.

The annual ESPN production is traditionally headlined by as comedian or athlete, but this is the first time the 37-year-old Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania native will be hosting the show, which some liken to the 'Sports Oscars.'

'I'm excited to be at The ESPYS this year,' Gillis said in a statement. 'I like sports so this should be a good time.'

'Shane is not only one of the top comedians today, but also a huge sports fan, which made him an easy choice to host The ESPYS,' said Craig Lazarus, ESPN Vice President and The ESPYS Executive Producer, said in the statement. 'We are thrilled to work with him to create an entertaining show celebrating this year's best moments in sports and are excited to see what he'll do on stage.' 

This is not Gillis' first collaboration with ESPN. He previously appeared on College Football GameDay from South Bend, where he appeared to mock former Alabama coach Nick Saban. 

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