New
York, December 20, 1998 -- Ray Scott has been selected
by the membership of the American Sportscasters Association
(ASA) as the 1998 Hall of Fame inductee, it was announced
today by Louis O. Schwartz, President of the ASA.
The ASA
is delighted to honor Ray Scott, a man whose character and
integrity as a sports announcer for more than 50 years has
been an inspiration for all aspiring sportscasters, stated
Schwartz. His play-by-play coverage epitomized the highest
level of talent in our profession. Scotts induction
will take place at the Fourteenth Annual Hall of Fame Awards
Dinner, to be announced shortly.
The late
Ray Scott, known as the Voice of the Green Bay Packers, was
the first commentator for the NFLs national telecasts
over the old Dumont Network in 1953. He joined the Packers
as their play-by-play announcer in 1956, three years prior
to the arrival of Vince Lombardi, and covered the team
during their dynasty years until 1967.
Following
his stint with Green Bay, Scott was paired with a young Pat
Summerall as CBS No. 1 announcing team after the
merger between the NFL and the AFL, and in 1967 covered the
first NFL-AFL title game. During his years as a football
announcer, Scott broadcast nine NFL title games, four Super
Bowls and virtually every major college bowl game.
After
leaving CBS in 1974, Scott did play-by-play for numerous
teams, including the Minnesota Twins and Vikings, the Kansas
City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In addition to his
football duties, Scott has covered golf tournaments, college
basketball and baseballs World Series.
In 1987,
Scott was presented with the NFL Alumnis highest award
- the Art Rooney Order of the Leather Helmet. He was also
named Sportscaster of the Year 12 times in four different
states - Pennsylvania, Florida, Wisconsin and Minnesota -
and twice has been named the best sports broadcaster
nationally.
Up until
his retirement in 1997 due to illness, Scott hosted a
nationally syndicated radio talk show. On March 23, 1998,
after battling numerous health problems, Scott died in a
Minneapolis hospital at the age of 78.
ASA Hall
of Famers are: Mel Allen, Red Barber, Jack Brickhouse, Jack
Buck, Harry Caray, Howard Cosell, Don Dunphy, Marty
Glickman, Curt Gowdy, Ernie Harwell, Chick Hearn, Ted
Husing, Keith Jackson, Clem McCarthy, Jim McKay, Graham
McNamee, Lindsey Nelson, Vin Scully, Chris Schenkel, Bill
Stern and Jack Whitaker.
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