Association Names Sports Media Hall of Famers
The Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association has announced its annual award winners and Hall of Fame inductees for 2016. This year’s class includes Pacers public address and television voices, a writer and TV sports director from Fort Wayne and writers from South Bend, Evansville and Muncie.
The inductees and award winners will be honored during a ceremony April 10 at Valle Vista Country Club in Greenwood.
The 21st Hall of Fame class will put the total number of inductees beyond the 100-member mark.
The association says the award winners are:
Marv Bates Sportscaster of the Year: Michael Grady, WFNI/WRTV Indianapolis – Michael is both a major part of the radio and television airwaves in Indianapolis. He’s been a part of 1070 The Fan since its inception in 2008, and has hosted a late morning talk show with former Colt Joe Staysniak since 2011. In August 2014, Michael joined the staff of WRTV, the ABC affiliate in Indianapolis. Fans should also be familiar with Michael’s voice at Bankers Life Fieldhouse as he’s the PA voice of both the Pacers and the Fever.
Corky Lamm Sportswriter of the Year: Al Lesar, South Bend Tribune – Al has been covering high school sports for over 30 years in South Bend, but has also covered Notre Dame and Big Ten football during his time with the paper. These days, Al is both the assistant sports editor as well as a columnist for the Tribune.
Ron Lemasters Lifetime Achievement Award: Ron Lemasters – Ron passed away after a sudden illness last March at the age of 76. Ron was the former sports editor of the Muncie Star and was a member of the staff for nearly 40 years before retiring. After retiring, Ron served on the news bureau at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for 15 Indy 500s. This is the first year this award is being presented in Ron’s name, with Ron’s family receiving the inaugural edition.
Bob Williams Helping Hand Award: Andrew Smith – Andrew has broadcast a wide range of sporting events of the year, from high school sports primarily in Hancock County to Franklin College athletics. In addition, Andrew teaches and coaches at New Palestine High School, and serves as the sports information director for New Pal athletics. His gameday notes are the equivalent of what most Division I colleges provide to writers and broadcasters. He’s also the PA voice of the Indy Fuel.
The 2016 Hall of Fame Class is:
Kent Hormann, Fort Wayne Television and Radio – Kent spent over 20 years with WKJG in Fort Wayne as both a videographer and sports reporter and eventually became the station’s sports director. In addition, Kent has broadcast professional events in Fort Wayne, ranging from the Fury, Mad Ants, TinCaps, Wizards, plus IPFW basketball and volleyball.
Pete DiPrimio, Fort Wayne NewsSentinel – Pete has covered both the Indiana and Purdue beat for several years, and his work includes covering Final Fours, Indy 500s, and Brickyard 400s. In addition, Pete has authored three books about Indiana University athletics and 20 children’s books focusing on sports.
Matt Kopsea, Regional Radio Sports Network/Indiana Football Digest – After nearly 20 years with the South Bend Tribune, Matt is now in his fifth year of working with the Regional Radio Sports Network and writing for the Indiana Football Digest. In addition to his experience as a sportswriter, Matt has worked in the front office for the South Bend SilverHawks (now Cubs) and as the sports information director at Bethel College.
Dan Korb, Evansville Courier & Press – Dan has been a part of the sports scene in Southwestern Indiana for over 30 years. Dan’s coverage has ranged from all things auto racing, including the Indy 500 and Brickyard 400, to the college beats of both Purdue and Southern Indiana. Dan has previously won the Corky Lamm Award as the top sportswriter in the state in 2013 as awarded by the Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association.
Chris Denari, Television voice of Indiana Pacers – Chris is now in his 10th year as the TV voice of the Pacers on Fox Sports Indiana. Prior to that, Chris spent nearly 20 years as the radio voice of the Butler Bulldogs. He’s been on the call of the Indy 500 for many years, including the prestigious perch atop turn four at the Speedway. Chris was also on the first news staff at what is now Fox 59 in Indianapolis back in the mid80s, and later was the Sports Director there prior to joining the Pacers fulltime in 2006.
Bob Nagle, WHME-TV 46 in South Bend – Bob has been a broadcaster in the South Bend area for just shy of 40 years. Bob began his career at WSBT in the late 70s, and has been a part of numerous state championship broadcasts both to the South Bend area and as a part of the statewide television network. In addition, Bob has a longstanding relationship with various aspects of Notre Dame athletics, ranging from football to women’s basketball to baseball.