Release

JIM NANTZ WILL BE HONORED AS THE 2007 SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR BY THE ORANGE COUNTY YOUTH SPORTS FOUNDATION ON JANUARY 26, 2008

(Costa Mesa, CA) -  Sports broadcaster Jim Nantz, who has covered virtually every sport for the CBS Television Network since 1985, will be honored as the 2007 Sportsman of the Year when the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation (OCYSF) roasts him at a special banquet set for Saturday, January 26, 2008, at the Anaheim Marriott hotel starting at 7:00 pm

 

Nantz currently serves as the lead play-by-play announcer for The NFL on CBS having joined lead analyst Phil Simms on the Network's number one NFL announce team in 2004; anchor of CBS's golf coverage, including the Masters®, the PGA Championship; and lead play-by-play announcer for college basketball, including the Final Four and Championship game. In 2007, Nantz completed a rare broadcasting triple in a 63-day span.  Starting with his call of Super Bowl XLI on Feb. 4, 2007, he became the first commentator in history to broadcast the Super Bowl, NCAA Final Four and the Masters®.

 

"Jim Nantz is an outstanding broadcaster and we are delighted that he has made himself available to us for this year's banquet" said Ed Halverson, President of the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation Board of Directors.  "The evening is a lot of fun and the money we raise helps make a difference in the lives of young people who live in Orange County."

 

Since 1971, the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation has enjoyed a proud tradition of celebrating the accomplishments of sports figures as a means of raising funds for boys and girls in the Orange County, CA community.  Since its inception, the Foundation has donated well over a $1 million dollars to youth sports in the county.  This includes scholarships to college bound scholar-athletes, field trips and improvements in sports facilities.

 

Last year, OCYSF honored Angels great Tim Salmon and more than 800 fans and friends packed the ball room to share memories with the baseball star.  OCYSF past honorees include local and national sports greats like Tom Lasorda, Jerry West, Pete Carroll, Bill Walsh and Peter Ueberroth.

 

Nantz becomes only the second broadcaster selected by OCYSF, joining Dick Enberg who was honored in 1999.

 

Tickets for this year's banquet are now available.  The cost for a table of 10 is $1,500, corporate tables  of 10 are $2,500 each and individual tickets are $250.  For more information about this year's banquet and silent auction or to purchase tickets, please call 714-250-8437 or go to http://www.ocysf.org/

 

About the Orange County Youth Sports Foundation

Originally named the "Orange County Sports Celebrities," a group of local Orange County residents held a banquet held each year at the Saddleback Inn in Santa Ana to have fun and raise money for young people. The founders include Paul Clearly, Bruce Gelker, Bob Hoyt, Chuck Potter and Paul Salata and their first

honoree was race car driver Dan Gurney.  Later the group changed its name to the current moniker The Orange County Youth Sports Foundation.  Today, more than 40 volunteers sit on the OCYSF board and help make an impact in the lives of young people in the community.

 

Presented every year since 1971, the Orange County Sportsman of the Year Award was established by the Foundation to honor individuals who serve as an inspiration to youth and who are leaders in both their sport and their community.   The Orange County Youth Sports Foundation would also like to recognize The First American Corporation and Westar Associates for their longtime support.

 

PAST SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD RECIPIENTS

 

2006    Tim Salmon -- Baseball

2005    Matt Leinart -- Football

2004    Pete Carroll -- Football

2003    Carson Palmer -- Football

2002    Bob Baffert - Horse Racing

2001    Mike Scioscia -- Baseball

2000    Bill Walsh -- Football

1999    Dick Enberg -- Sportscaster

1998    Jerry West -- Basketball

1997    Jackie Slater -- Football

1996    Terry Donahue -- Football

1995    25th Year Anniversary

1994    Bert Blyleven -- Baseball

1993    Jim Abbott -- Baseball

1992    John McKay -- Football

1991    Nolan Cromwell -- Football

1990    Augie Garrido -- Baseball

1989    Tom Lasorda -- Baseball

1988    John Hall -- Sportswriting

1987    John Robinson -- Football

1986    Tommy John -- Baseball

1985    Greg Louganis - Diving & Edwin Moses -- Track

1984    Peter Ueberroth -- Olympics

1983    Jack Youngblood -- Football

1982    Bill Mulligan -- Basketball

1981    Hal Sherbeck -- Football

1980    Gene Autry -- Baseball

1979    George Yardley -- Basketball

1978    Paul Salata - Bon Vivant, Football

1977    Donn Moomaw -- Football

1976    Sammy Lee - Olympic Diving

1975    Del Crandall -- Baseball

1974    Eddie West -- Sportswriting

1973    Clare Van Hoorbeke -- Football

1972    Rod Laver -- Tennis

1971    Dan Gurney - Auto Racing

    Show Contacts