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. Scott’s 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
NFL’s 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 baseball’s World Series.
In 1987, Scott was presented
with the NFL Alumni’s 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. |