CONWAY — The fourth class of the Arkansas Sportscasters & Sportswriters Hall of Fame will induct an NFL television legend and the father of Arkansas high school track and field’s Meet of Champions at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Special Events Center at Centennial Valley Country Club in Conway.
Pat Summerall of Dallas, legendary sportscaster of CBS and FOX television, and Jerry McConnell of Greenwood, the longtime Arkansas Gazette sportswriter who was instrumental in the creation of the Meet of Champions, will be inducted.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Ken Hatfield for his lifelong service to college football throughout the nation.
Frank Broyles, former head coach and athletic director at the University of Arkansas, will serve as master of ceremonies.
Summerall is the most recognizable voice of the NFL for CBS and FOX. He broadcast NFL games for 32 years, calling 16 Super Bowls.
McConnell was also instrumental in getting the latest high school football and basketball statistics printed when he worked for the Arkansas Gazette and the ArkansasDemocrat. He also ran the media room for the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta.
This year’s ASCASW Service Award will be presented to Stanley Russ, former state senator, for giving his time to the Arkansas Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame, as well as other organizations in the state.
Tickets are $40. Call (501) 733-4011 for ticket information.
Previous inductees include the late Paul Eells, the late Bud Campbell and the late Jim Elder, sportscasters; and Jim Bailey, Harry King and the late Orville Henry.
Tri-Lakes, Pages 59 on 07/29/2010