The Twelfth Annual
American Sportscasters Hall of Fame Awards Dinner

New York Marriott Marquis

March 18, 1997

Dinner Program

Hosts

Curt Gowdy

Dick Enberg

<table><tr><td>Introduction of Dais Guests</td><td>Leandra Reilly</td></tr><tr><td>Invocation</td><td>Rabbi Alvin Kass</td></tr><tr><td>Opening Remarks</td><td>Curt Gowdy</td></tr><tr><td>Greetings</td><td>Louis O. Schwartz</td></tr><tr><td>Remarks - New Home of the ASA Hall of Fame</td><td>Abe Pollin</td></tr><tr><td>MCI Center, Washington, D.C.</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Honorary Membership Presentation to Dr. Henry Kissinger</td><td>Dick Enberg</td></tr><tr><td>Acceptance</td><td>Dr. Henry Kissinger</td></tr></table>

~ DINNER IS SERVED ~

Master of Ceremonies - Dan Hicks

<table><tr><td>Presentation to ASA/NY Post Newspaper in Education Contest Winners</td><td>Jim Nantz</td></tr><tr><td>Mel Allen Tribute</td><td>Curt Gowdy</td></tr></table>

Awards

<table><tr><td>Chris Berman</td><td>Sportscaster of the Year - Studio Host<br>Presented by Scott Clark, Accepted by Steve Anderson</td></tr><tr><td>Marv Albert</td><td>Sportscaster of the Year - Play-by-Play<br>Presented by Sam Wyche</td></tr><tr><td>Joe Frazier</td><td>Sports Legend Award<br>Presented by Bert Sugar</td></tr><tr><td>Chris Schenkel</td><td>Hall of Fame Inductee<br>Presented by Jack Brickhouse & Bob Apter</td></tr></table>

~ Closing Remarks ~

Dick Enberg

2

THE WHITE HOUSE

WASHINGTON

March 18, 1997

Warm greetings to everyone gathered in New York City for the twelfth annual Hall of Fame dinner of the American Sportscasters Association. I am proud to pay tribute to the incomparable Chris Schenkel as he is inducted into the Sportscasters Hall of Fame. I join you in congratulating Marv Albert and Chris Berman on being chosen as Sportscasters of the Year, and in saluting Joe Frazier, a man recognized as a sports legend even before receiving this year's award. I understand that you are welcoming another legend into your ranks this year, and I am delighted to extend best wishes to Dr. Henry Kissinger as he is inducted as an Honorary Member of the ASA.

Now more than ever, Americans are turning to sports for entertainment and enjoyment, and sportscasters have the challenge of explaining it all -- the new records, the great comebacks, and the heart-wrenching losses. Serving as our eyes and ears for sports' most exciting moments, you convey both the thrills and disappointments of competition with style, precision, and insight. Chris Schenkel, Marv Albert, and Chris Berman have proven themselves masters of this demanding profession, and their body of work reflects their strong commitment to excellence.

As you honor these three outstanding sportcasters and the great Joe Frazier, I join you in thanking them for their lasting contributions to the world of sports. They have won a permanent place in the hearts and minds of sports fans across America.

Best wishes to all for a memorable evening.

4

INVOCATION
TWELFTH ANNUAL
AMERICAN SPORTSCASTERS
HALL OF FAME DINNER

RABBI DR. ALVIN KASS

President, New York Board of Rabbis

Chaplain, New York City Police Department

(Excerpts)

"As we invoke God's blessing upon this dinner of the American Sportscasters Association, which takes place just 50 years after **Jackie Robinson** entered the Major Leagues as the first black player, we need to know and appreciate that Jackie Robinson stood for something that all of us need to think about all of the time; that the ultimate justification for sports, all the attention, the resources and the fervor and the energy lavished upon it, is that they bring together people of every race, religion, color and creed and that they make merit, ability and talent the sole legitimate criterion for evaluation.

"Those were not universally accepted principles in 1947. Many players, fans and officials regarded sports as a shrine of white supremacy until 50 years ago, when Jackie Robinson and some of his cohort black pioneers like **Larry Doby** and **Roy Campanella** launched a mighty battle against bigotry, which succeeded in many, many ways in this marvelous and wonderful nation of ours until today.

"Every sportsman accepts what every musician knows, and that is you can't get decent music out of a piano unless you use both the black and white keys. We, dear God, implore thy blessing upon the sportscasters of America, for they have been among the main and most effective communicators of what the essence of the American way of life is all about. And now that is even more the case since **Henry Kissinger**, one of America's greatest teachers and statesmen, is being added to their ranks.

"We pray dear God as well, that you will honor all who are receiving commendation here tonight, for they have always kept their eye on the ball. They've never confused the major with the minor and they have likewise not accepted the insignificant when they needed to focus upon the principle.

"We pray thee to give them many more years of good health and well being in which we, who have come here tonight to honor them, will be exalted and elevated by their example. For the privilege of being part of this auspicious evening, for the chance to participate in the activities of the American Sportscasters Association, for the priceless privilege of being an American and for all the blessings of our lives, we humbly offer our gratitude. Amen!"

7

## INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
CO-HOST AND ASA BOARD OF DIRECTOR
CURT GOWDY

*(Excerpts)*

"In 1984, we had our first Hall of Fame dinner and the charter inductees were the legends of the 20's, maybe the 30's. I used to listen to them when I was a kid: **Graham McNamee**, the voice with a smile, **Bill Stern**, a great dramatist, **Ted Husing**, the all time great, **Red Barber**, the immortal **Red Barber**, with his southern accent, and **Don Dunphy**. **Marv Albert** once gave the greatest description of **Don Dunphy** I've ever heard. He said, '*Don Dunphy' is boxing.' Those were our five original inductees into the Hall of Fame.

"We've also honored **President Reagan** and **President Ford**, and we paid tribute to **Muhammad Ali**, **Arthur Ashe**, **Kareem Abdul Jabbar**, **Larry King**, **A.J. Foyt**, and **John McEnroe**, among others . . .

"And finally we've found a home for the American Sportscasters Hall of Fame. It's really exciting news for us."

## GREETINGS
FROM
LOUIS O. SCHWARTZ,
PRESIDENT
AMERICAN SPORTSCASTERS ASSOCIATION

"Rabbi Kass, Dr. Kissinger, distinguished dais guests, friends and supporters of the American Sportscasters Association, I join your hosts **Curt Gowdy** and **Dick Enberg** in extending a warm welcome."

"I want to express my deep appreciation for your attendance this evening, in spite of the change in the date of the dinner, a change due to our quest for a permanent home for the ASA Hall of Fame. Your support and presence has made this dinner a success, and a tribute to our honorees."

"I think you will agree that the delay was well worth the inconveniences. It made possible the light at the end of the tunnel, the permanent site for the Hall of Fame. The nay sayers called it an 'impossible dream,' the doubters referred to it as a 'sand castle,' but it is real and it is here."

"And here to tell you 'the rest of the story' is a man mainly responsible for a dream come true. He is a man of vision, a brilliant sports executive, a humanitarian and a great guy, **Abe Pollin**."

8

## Remarks
**Abe Pollin**
Chairman
**Washington Sports & Entertainment L.P.**

*(Excerpts)*

“It’s really a tremendous honor for my wife Irene and I to be here tonight among you wonderful sportscasters. My love for sports started many years ago when I was a kid in Philadelphia. My uncle used to take me to see the **Philadelphia A’s**.

“At age eight, I moved to Washington, within six or seven blocks of **Griffith Stadium**. In those days, there were no night games, only afternoon games. I used to run home from school, get a quarter from my mother, run back to the stadium and sit in the bleachers to watch the **Senators** play. When they were on the road, I’d sit home and listen to **Arch McDonald** do the broadcast on radio.

“To have the American Sportscasters Hall of Fame in my building is like the icing on the cake. It is absolutely fantastic for me. When I was approached by my people and ASA’s **Lou Schwartz** and **Dick Enberg**, I said, ‘Absolutely! Let’s make this happen,’ because this is the nation’s capital, this is going to be the best building of its kind ever, and this is where the ASA Hall of Fame belongs. I’m honored to be a part of them and to have them be a part of me. Thank you so very much.”

**MCI Center, Washington D.C., which will house the American Sportscasters Association Hall of Fame**

9

American Sportscasters Association
1996 Hall of Fame Inductee
Chris Schenkel

## Jack Brickhouse's Comments and Introduction (excerpts):

"One reason I'm up here is because I'm the only one in this room other than **Chris Schenkel** who knows where Bippus, Indiana is. **Jerry Reinsdorf**, owner of the White Sox, said he wanted to come but he couldn't make it tonight because it was his night to walk **Albert Belle's** dog . . .

"And to formally introduce **Chris Schenkel** is someone from the ABC network. A great friend of the world of sports and a great friend of Chris', **Mr. Bob Apter**."

## Bob Apter's Presentation (excerpts):

"**Chris Schenkel** - 43 years as a network broadcaster, over 50 years in broadcasting, honored by the National Television Academy, a member of the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame, recipient of several honorary doctorate of letters degrees. There isn't a major sport on television Chris hasn't covered. He's done nine Olympics, including Squaw Valley in 1960, the first Olympics to be shown on television. As to longevity, it would be Chris' association with the Pro Bowlers Tour, now in its 36th year on ABC. He has been the only host of that series. Ladies and Gentlemen, let's welcome my colleague and friend **Chris Schenkel**."

Bob Apter, Vice President of Finance and Administration for ABC Sports, presents the ASA Bronze Mike Award to Chris Schenkel as Curt Gowdy applauds.

## Chris Schenkel's Acceptance Remarks (excerpts):

"Thank you **Rabbi Kass, Dick Enberg, Curt Gowdy, Lou Schwartz** and all the other lovely people that have come out tonight. I want to thank all the competitors that I've had the opportunity to watch and talk about. There's one in the audience tonight that certainly made my boxing career. He's won the World Championship a couple of times as a heavyweight. Once an Olympian, now the Commissioner of the New York State Athletic Commission. I did all his championship fights; **Mr. Floyd Patterson**.

"I've worked with many great analysts over the years; **Johnny Lujack, Pat Summerall, Bud Wilkinson** and **Byron Nelson**. But nobody communicates the fine points of his competition or sport better than the man who's worked with me for 23 years. A wonderful professional and friend, **Mr. Nelson Burton**.

"I also want everyone at ABC to please take a bow; including **Abe Pollin**, the most gentlemanly owner of a basketball team while I was doing the NBA. Congratulations to **Marv, Chris, Joe, Dr. Kissinger** and everybody. Thank you all for an evening I will always remember."

10

1996 Sportscaster of the Year

Play-by-Play

Marv Albert

Sam Wyche's Presentation (excerpts):

"Marv has been one of my favorite announcers, so I want to present him to you as he should be presented. He is among legends tonight, and he will be among the names mentioned as the best in the business.

"As a coach, I look for a lot of things in players. Their work ethic must be tough and their poise during precious situations has to be there. There has to be unselfishness in the team effort and a working toward perfection every time you are on the field or behind the microphone. Most importantly there must be loyalty, not only for the people you work for but for the people you work with. Marv, you encompass all of those things. I really appreciated the days you corrected me along the way and you well deserve the Sportscaster of the Year Award.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, Marv Albert."

Marv Albert's Acceptance Remarks (excerpts):

"Thank you very much! This is an honor for me. I feel very fortunate that I have been able to work at a craft that I was really obsessed with when I was growing up. Probably everyone who is or who has been in sportscasting has to have that passion. With me, it meant turning down the sound on the TV in my house and doing the play-by-play. It has been a passion for me doing sportscasting for these last 30 years. To be honored like this by my peers is very, very special to me and I thank you very much for this honor."

Curt Gowdy, Chris Schenkel and Lou Schwartz listen to Marv Albert's acceptance speech.

Sam Wyche presents the ASA Sportscaster of the Year Award for Play-by-Play to Marv Albert.

11

["1996 Honorary Member", "> \"It is with great pleasure that I extend my heartiest congratulations as you are named an Honorary Member of the American Sportscasters Association. It would be an honor and a thrill for me to formally offer you your first job as a baseball play-by-play commentator. This dream job is yours as soon as I am tapped for my dream job -- Baseball Commissioner!\"", {"bbox": [531, 375, 1043, 423], "category": "Text", "text":>-- Ambassador Bill Richardson\nRepresentative of the United States of America to the United Nations", "Dick Enberg's Remarks (excerpts):", "\"This gentleman wants to have a dream come true, and yet he is one that, in our time, is probably the greatest international statesman the United States has had. A Secretary of State under two presidents, Nobel Peace Prize winner, a Presidential Medal of Freedom honoree, knighted recently by **Queen Elizabeth** in England. Eloquent, witty, shuttle diplomacy certainly his call; but with all those honors and worldly accomplishments, there was something missing. His life was not totally complete.\"", "Excerpted from a New York Times commercial with Dr. Kissinger:", "\"I always wanted to be a sportscaster, but I just couldn't lose this New York accent.\"", "\"To the list of sportscasting heroes, we add an Honorary Member to the American Sportscasters Association. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the newest member of the American Sportscasters Association, Dr. Henry Kissinger.\"", "Dr. Henry Kissinger's Acceptance Remarks (excerpts):", "\"This is a terrific occasion for me. I have occasionally had some critics who did not like some of the policies I may have conducted. They could have kept me out of politics very easily by letting me join you people as a sportscaster.", "\"When I came here as a young boy from Germany, I read about the Giants playing the single wing. I looked up single wing, but it made no sense in German at all. There was no comparable word for it and I puzzled over how a team could be so good and yet fly on only one wing.", "\"I started listening to baseball games and football games. Those were the heroic days of broadcasting. Listening to these various sportscasters that became heroes of mine was a great process of educating myself about America.", "\"I just got back from Asia this morning. No other group could have gotten me to come out tonight. I wanted to tell you how much I appreciate it and how much you all have done to make my life and Nancy's life more pleasant. I look forward to listening and watching you. It gave meaning to my life as a boy to listen to these spectacular broadcasts. Thank you very much for giving me this opportunity.\"", "14"]

SERVICE
EDUCATION PROGRAM

NEWYORKPOST

1211 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK 10036-8790

TELEPHONE 212.930.8000

A NEWS CORPORATION COMPANY

03/19/97

Mr. Louis O. Schwartz
AMERICAN SPORTSCASTERS ASSOCIATION
5 Beekman Street
New York, N.Y. 10038

Dear Mr. Schwartz,

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! What a wonderful evening for all of us. On behalf of Michele, Mrs. Pelligrino, (the winning student's teacher) Elija, Samantha and their very proud parents, and all of the students enrolled in our Newspaper-In-Education program, I thank you.

Who could have guessed what a fantastic response we would receive? Never before have we made such a success of our education page. Believe it or not, we are still receiving entries from tardy students, hoping to win the Sportscasters competition. The response is truly overwhelming. New schools are calling to enroll in the program and many of our readers called in to commend us on a job well done.

Both students went on to be rewarded for their efforts. Elija Kendrick was approached by a representative of Madison Square Garden Network and invited to see a KNICKS game on Sunday, March 23rd at Madison Square. He was invited into the locker room to meet his hero, Walt Frazier and was interviewed on television for the MSG Network. What an exciting night for this young boy! And all of it due to your company's generosity and foresight. The young girl, Samantha was asked by a New Jersey based newspaper if she would object to their displaying her art work. These two children would never have had a chance to experience a night like the one of the Sportscasters Awards Dinner if they were not enrolled in our Newspaper-In-Education Program so generously sponsored by the American Sportscasters Association.

I have enclosed just a few of the many thank you letters pouring in from the students enrolled in the program, I am sure you will enjoy reading them. I hope to hear from you soon, we must have dinner together. Thank you once again for all your efforts on behalf of the New York City school children.

Sincerely,

Catriona Bonthron
NIE Manager.

17

A Tribute to Mel Allen

"Mel Allen broadcast for seven decades; the 30's, the 40's, the 50's, the 60's, the 70's, the 80's and the 90's. He was famous for baseball and did many World Series. He also did the Rose Bowl for many years. It was amazing the way Mel weaved the action in and out of commercials. He was just a master at it. He was one of the greatest voices of all time in sports."

-- Curt Gowdy

(Left to Right) Red Barber, Bill Corum and Mel Allen broadcasting at the 1942 World Series

Mel used to say, "Curt, the whole stadium is your field, not just the diamond."

1985 ASA Hall of Famers Mel Allen, Curt Gowdy and Jack Brickhouse with President Louis O. Schwartz

"Mel was elegance, a southern gentleman. He had a real love of the game."

-- Al Trautwig, Yankee Broadcaster

"Whenever you think of the Yankees, you think Billy Martin, Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris and Yogi. To me, you always think of Mel Allen in that group. He's what the Yankees represent."

-- Don Zimmer, Yankee Coach

"Yankee Stadium, the house that Ruth built. Mel Allen made that house part of a million living rooms."

-- Warner Fusselle, Announcer
This Week in Baseball

18

Mr. and Mrs. Abe Pollin in conversation with Dick Enberg.

Mrs. Nancy Kissinger tries to separate the two fighters: Dr. Henry Kissinger and Joe Frazier.

The fighters: Jose Torres, former Light Heavyweight Champion of the World; Joe Frazier and Floyd Patterson former Heavyweight Champions of the World; and former boxer and son of Joe Frazier, Marvis Frazier

23

Thank You . . .

**Philip Guarascio, Vice President of Marketing and Advertising**

General Motors Corp.

For your support and guidance as General Chairman of the
1996 Hall of Fame Dinner

**Dick Ebersol, President**
and

**Steve Ulrich,**
NBC Sports

For your support and assistance in producing
the Twelfth Annual Hall of Fame Film Clips

**William D. Cayton, President**

The Big Fights, Inc.

For footage of the March 8, 1971 Frazier-Ali Championship Fight

**LeRoy Neiman**

For your generous contribution of artwork
for the Twelfth Annual Hall of Fame Dinner

**Gary McKillips**

**Ken Sunshine Consultants, Inc.**

*A Special Thank You for the Following Contributors . . .*

Ascent Entertainment Group, Inc.

Bowman & Smith

Harry Caray

Rotman Collectibles, Inc.

Stephens, Inc.

City Council Speaker Peter Vallone

The West Bend Co.

24

Dinner Reviews...

"As usual, Lou, you have put together a spectacular extravaganza highlighting the diversity, preeminence, talent and humanity of the sportscasting fraternity. The elevation of Chris Schenkel, Marv Albert, Chris Berman and Honorary Sportscaster Dr. Henry Kissinger was a valedictory for the sportscasting profession."

-- Paul Aufrichtig
Aufrichtig Stein & Aufrichtig, P.C.

"Where do I begin to thank you for an evening of enchantment for my students, Elijah Kendrick and Samantha Aranda? It was an evening they will always remember!"

-- Ann Pellegrino, Teacher
Middle School 113
Bronx, New York

"Thank you so very much for honoring Joe Frazier. It's an honor we hold in high regards. My father and I had a great time, I just wanted to thank you personally for a job well done!

-- Marvis Frazier

"Fabulous! One of the nights you don't want to miss!"

-- Bill Schweizer
Inside Pitch, WCBS Radio

"I had a great time. I thought the evening was terrific! I can't wait 'til next year!"

-- Jim Topping
National Sports Gallery

"Your Twelfth Annual Hall of Fame Dinner (I think I've been at nine) was the best ever! Congratulations on the new home for the ASA Hall of Fame. Hey, if it can't be in New York, the nation's Capitol is certainly as good as it gets."

-- John Halligan
NHL

26

BLUEFIELD DAILY TELEGRAPH
Bluefield, WV ~ Feb. 23, 1997

## Names in the News

### Frazier receives honor

NEW YORK (AP) — Joe Frazier has matched Muhammad Ali in at least one category. Frazier was selected to receive the Sports Legend Award by the American Sportscasters Association.

Ali is one of only five other sports figures to be given that designation. The others are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Arthur Ashe, A.J. Foyt and John McEnroe.

The three Ali-Frazier heavyweight title bouts in the 1970s are regarded as boxing classics. Frazier kept the title by winning the first, but lost the next two.

In announcing Frazier's selection, ASA president Lou Schwartz said the former champion was also being recognized for his gold medal victory at the 1964 Olympics.

Frazier will be honored at the association's March 18 dinner in New York when Chris Schenkel will be inducted into the ASA Hall of Fame.

EVENING TIMES ~ Little Falls, NY
Jan. 30, 1997

### Albert, Berman honored by fellow sportscasters

NEW YORK (AP) — Marv Albert of NBC and Chris Berman of ESPN were selected Sportscasters of the Year by the American Sportscasters Association on Wednesday.

Albert was selected for his play-by-play work and Berman as the studio host for the second year in a row.

The two were picked in balloting by the association's members. Previous winners were Vin Scully, Pat Summerall, Al Michaels, Bob Costas, who was a four-time winner four times.

Albert and Berman will receive the annual dinner March 18 in New York.

EL NUEVO DIA ~ San Juan, PR
March 16, 1997

### Kissinger logra un viejo sueño

8316A AM-Sportscasters
NUEVA YORK - Henry Kissinger

finalmente llevará a cabo lo que llama su ambición secreta: convertirse en locutor deportivo.

El ex secretario de Estado será el miembro honorario de la Americana de Narradores

s, durante la cena anual de la ción, que se llevará a cabo el n Nueva York.

TEXAS CITY SUN ~ Texas City, TX
March 20, 1997

ran sportscaster Chris Schenkel, left, poses from left, former Secretary of State Henry Schenkel, a former Joe Frazier and sportscaster at the American Sportscasters Association Tuesday in New York.

Kissinger finally got his wish to become a New York sportscaster

Kissinger: incursiona en el mundo de la narración deportiva.

RECORD ~ Hackensack, NJ
Feb. 12, 1997

### SCHENKEL JOINS ELITE

Chris Schenkel is the newest member of the American Sportscasters Association's Hall of Fame.

Schenkel was among the first to do play-by-play of college football on television, starting with Harvard games in 1947. He has covered more than 600 pro and college football games, and was on ABC's

broadcasting team for NCAA football for 12 years.

CHRIS SCHENKEL
Hall of Famer

Published by
The
American Sportscasters
Association

5 Beekman Street
New York, NY 10038
212-227-8080

JUNE 1997