July 28, 2005
The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today that Notre Dame play-by-play legend Tony Roberts has been selected to receive the organization’s 2005 Chris Schenkel Award.
“Tony has been a great friend to all sports and especially college football,” said NFF President Steven J. Hatchell. “He is a true professional, and his contributions over the years have greatly enhanced the enjoyment of fans nationwide. He stands atop his profession, and we are thrilled to recognize him.”
The award, named for legendary college football announcer Chris Schenkel, is given annually to a college football broadcaster who has excelled in his field and contributed to his community. The award will be presented to Roberts on Friday, August 12, at the Mayor’s Breakfast during the College Football Hall of Fame’s Enshrinement Festival in South Bend.
“Tony has been a great play-by-play man for as many years as I can remember,” said Larry Michael, former executive producer at Westwood One and current senior vice president and executive producer Washington Redskins TV. “There is nobody better prepared, and a lot of his material never makes it on the air because he does not force the action. It is certainly a well deserved and overdue honor.”
After graduating from Columbia College in Chicago with a journalism degree, Roberts went on to become the voice of Indiana University basketball and football, Navy football, Washington Senators baseball and Washington Bullets basketball.
Entering his 26th year as a member of the Westwood One Radio Network broadcast team, Roberts, currently a play-by-play announcer, is considered the voice of Notre Dame football. In addition to his play-by-play commitments, Roberts broadcasts three daily sportscasts for Westwood One/CBS Radio Sports, and has covered the last five Summer Olympics for NBC Radio.
Previously recognized for his contribution to the game of football, Roberts’ accolades include seven Associated Press Sports Reporting awards and seven Sportscaster of the Year awards. Roberts has broadcast more Army-Navy, Notre Dame-Navy and college bowl games than any other play-by-play announcer.
Past Chris Schenkel Award winners include Chris Schenkel (1996), Jack Cristil (1997), Max Falkenstein (1998), Jack Flemming (1999), Ray Christensen (2000), Frank Fallon (2001), Bob Brooks (2002), Larry Munson (2003) and Bob Robertson (2004).
Roberts will be honored during the College Football Hall of Fame’s 2005 Enshrinement Festival on August 12-13. This year’s Enshrinement Class includes Jack Tatum (Ohio State), Ray Guy (S. Mississippi), LaVell Edwards (BYU) and Lydell Mitchell (Penn State) among others. For more information on the 2005 College Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival, including event descriptions and ticket pricing, please call 574-235-9999 or visit www.collegefootball.org.