May 2011

Honorees Announced for National Polish Sports Hall of Fame
The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame expands its roster to 123
honored inductees this year, with the addition of four new inductees, as Bill Romanowski and Art “Pinky” Deras, top vote-getters in the NPASHF 2011 national
balloting process, are joined by Tom D’Eath and Stan Javie, to make up the stellar
Class of 2011. All four inductees will be honored at the 39th Annual Induction
Banquet on Thursday, June 23 2011, at the American Polish Cultural Center in
Troy, MI. Longtime Detroit radio personality Tom Ryan will serve as Master of
Ceremonies for the event.
Bill Romanowski, a third round pick by San Francisco in 1988 out of Boston
College, went on to an outstanding 16 year career in the NFL. The tough, hardnosed linebacker played an incredible 243 consecutive games, an NFL record at
that position, winning four Super Bowl Championships. He is the only linebacker
to start five Super Bowl games, and is one of only three players to win back-to-back
Super Bowls with two different organizations. With a reputation as a fanatic trainer
and aggressive competitor, Romo did not miss a game in his 16 year career. The
two-time Pro Bowl selection ended his career with Oakland in 2003.
Art “Pinky” Deras is arguably the greatest Little League baseball player of all
time. In 1959, Pinky and his Hamtramck, MI teammates reached the Little League
World Series having won nine of ten tournament games by shutout. In the finals,
Deras tossed a one-hit, 5-0 shutout against Puerto Rico, hit a grand slam in a 7-1
victory over Hawaii, and threw a three-hit 12-0 victory over West Auburn, CA in
the championship game. Deras’ single-season pitching statistics were staggering;
18 starts, 18 complete game victories, 16 shutouts, 10 no-hitters, 298 strikeouts
(only 26 outs in the field), and just 10 walks in 108 innings. At the plate, he hit
.641 for the season, with 33 home runs and 112 RBI. Two years later, Deras led
Hamtramck to the Pony League World Series Championship.
Tom D’Eath has excelled in the sport of hydroplane racing as a famed driver,
designer, and builder. As a driver, he has won national championships in nearly every class of hydroplane racing. He is the winner of three APBA Gold Cups (1976,
’89 and ’90) and added Prince Edward Canadian Gold Cup titles in 1974, ’76 and
’80. He remains the only three-time winner of both. In 1988, Tom was named
APBA “Outstanding Driver” while piloting the famous Miss Budweiser. When he
retired in 1991, D’Eath was sixth on the all-time list of unlimited victories with
16. He was inducted into the Unlimited Hydroplane Hall of Fame in 1997, the
Michigan Motor Sports Hall of Fame in 1998, and the Motor Sports Hall of Fame
of America in 2000.
Stan Javie enjoyed a remarkable 29-year career as an official in the National
Football League. From 1951 until his retirement in 1980, Stan was considered to
be one of the NFL’s premier officials, despite being one of the few on-field officials
to wear eyeglasses. As a back judge, Javie officiated in four Super Bowls (Super
Bowl II, VIII, X and XIV), becoming one of the first NFL officials to achieve such
a distinction. His last game worked prior to his retirement was Super Bowl XIV
in 1980. Today, son Steve carries on the high officiating standard set by his father,
as a highly-respected National Basketball Association referee. Stan Javie passed
away in 2002.
Tickets for the banquet, which begins at 6 p.m., are $85, and include an open
bar and traditional Polish family-style dinner. Tickets can be ordered by Board
member George Eichorn at (586) 574-3016. Information on the National PolishAmerican Sports Hall of Fame is available at www.polishsportshof.com.
DETROIT LIONS
May 2011
"Let's Play Golf!"
July 11th of this year is a
date worth marking down. It is
the date that marks the 25th anniversary of the DSBA’s annual fundraising golf outing. I
have often thought that any silver
anniversary is sort of a statement
event. The statement is simple. Any
event that survives and prospers
for a quarter of a century marks a
commitment with purpose and a lot
of unselfishness. Many individuals
have donated a great deal of their
Will Tieman
own time over the years to reach
this milestone. Money raised from the DSBA Annual Golf Outing helps future broadcasters get their start through scholarships
and donations to universities and high schools for the purchase of
broadcast equipment.
So, I personally applaud all who have supported this event with
their time and money. I must admit, prior to being elected DSBA
President, I had no clue how much time and effort went into this
event to make it as special as it has become.
Now I would like to go out on a limb with a request to the
membership.
For the Detroit sports fans who attend our outing, one of the
things that make it special for them is the opportunity to meet
members of the DSBA. It’s always good to make someone’s day!
So as I ramble along, what am I asking? I am asking for a great
turnout from our membership. I know everyone is busy and, for
some, it is impossible to attend. However, if you can give just a
part of one day this year to help the DSBA, this is the day. If you
can’t play golf, then come to the dinner that takes place after the
golf. The greater the turnout from our membership, the greater the
event, and that’s the goal - to be great!
The long awaited DSBA radio series entitled “The Sports Exchange”, made its maiden voyage April 29th, on WDFN Radio.
The 30 minute program featured the wit and wisdom of Eli Zaret
and Drew Sharp, along with moderator George Eichorn. Throughout the series we will feature members of the DSBA.
Our
series
has
been
made
possi-
ble
by
Mike
McCoy,
Program
Director
and
Marti Martin, Program Coordinator at WDFN. Mike
has donated the air time so that 100% of the revenues
generated from spot sales can go toward the DSBA
Scholarship Fund. Big time thanks to both Mike and Marti!
The next installment of the DSBA Sports Exchange will be
Friday, May 27th at 6:00pm with a replay on Sunday the 29th at
4:00pm.
Look forward to seeing everyone on July 11th at the Cherry
Creek Golf Club for the 25th annual DSBA Charity Golf Scramble.
RED WINGS ROOKIE BALLOT
Attention all DSBA Honorary, Active and Associate Members: Please
return your Detroit Red Wings / DSBA 2011 Rookie of the Year official
ballot no later than June 2, 2011. All ballots must be signed. You may
return your ballot by e-mail to DSBA1@yahoo.com, fax (586) 5589104 or US Mail at: DSBA, PO Box 1222, Warren, MI 48090-1222.
Thank you.
BUSINESS MEETING NOTICE
A Members-Only DSBA Business Meeting takes place on Thursday,
June 2, 2011, at 3:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Specs
Howard School of Media Arts, located at 19900 West Nine Mile Road,
Southfield, Michigan. Specs Howard is a Grant Fund recipient of the
DSBA. Call the DSBA at (586) 558-9103 or email DSBA1@yahoo.
com to reserve your space. Free parking is available on the campus
but allow for extra time to arrive with the closure of the M-39
Southfield Freeway. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and
vote on the proposed amendments to our DSBA By-laws (published
in the April newsletter). Thank you.
- Will Tieman, President
Schedule of Events
Thursday, June 2, 2011
DSBA Members Only Meeting
Visit the DSBA Website at:
www.detroitsportsbroadcasters.org
Site: Specs Howard School of Media Arts
19900 West Nine Mile Road at Evergreen,
Southfield, MI
Time: 3:00 p.m.
RSVP: DSBA1@yahoo.com or
(586) 558-9103
www.detroitsportsbroadcasters.com
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Bayview Mackinac Media Preview
Luncheon
Site: Bayview Yacht Club, 100 Clairpointe,
Detroit
Time: 11:00 a.m.
Complimentary Lunch
RSVP: Dsba1@yahoo.com or (586) 5589103
www.detroitsportsbroadcasters.com
Thursday, June 23, 2011
National Polish-American Sports
Hall of Fame Day at DSBA
Featuring NPASHOF Class of 2011
Inductees and Board Members
Site: Hockeytown Cafe, Detroit
Time: 11:45 a.m.
RSVP: Dsba1@yahoo.com
or (586) 558- 9103
Monday, July 11, 2011
25th Anniversary DSBA Charity
Golf Outing presented by Farm
Bureau Insurance
Site: Cherry Creek Golf Club,
Shelby Township
Time: 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Info: (586) 558-9103
www.detroitsportsbroadcasters.com
Calvin Johnson Named DSBA/PFWA Detroit Lions "Good Guy" Award Recipient
on Mitch Wigness
The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association and
Mitch Wigness joined the University of Detroit Mercy as its Sports Infor-
Wigness spent his previous three years at
mation Director in September 2010. Wigness, a graduate of Eastern Michigan
the University of North Dakota. As an Assistant
University, came to UDM after five years at the University of Indianapolis. “We
Director of Media Relations, he worked primarily
had a tremendous pool of applicants for this position, and during our search it
with the Fighting Sioux football, basketball and
became clear that Mitch would be a terrific fit for Detroit Titan Athletics,” said
volleyball teams. He also served as an editor for
Keri Gaither, Director of Athletics.
Sioux Illustrated, a bi-monthly publication produced
During his stint with UIndy, Wigness was involved with the NCAA Division
Detroit Chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association jointly announce Calvin Johnson is the
2010-season Detroit Lions Media- Friendly “Good
Guy” Award winner. Johnson proved valuable as a
standout wide receiver for the 6-10 Lions, who won
four games in a row to conclude last season.
Mitch Wigness
by the athletic media relations office and the Ralph
Calvin was again a workhorse for the Lions in
I Men's Basketball Final Four held in Indianapolis as part of the media relations
Engelstad Arena production staff. In addition, he hosted a pre-game show prior to
2010 with 77 receptions for 1,120 yards and 12
team. He coordinated the efforts for 19 UIndy varsity sports and helped host a
all home men's hockey broadcasts.
touchdowns in 15 games. He was also selected to his
number of NCAA Regionals and Championships.
He helped develop the UIndy Television Network which airs all Greyhound
University during the 2001-02 season. Wigness earned his bachelor's degree in
football home games and select basketball doubleheaders. The broadcasts are
telecommunications and film from EMU in 2000. He and his wife, Alecia, were
available to 350,000 homes throughout the state of Indiana and football is aired
married in Davison, Mich. in 2002. The DSBA welcomes Mitch as a new associ-
live in the metro area.
ate member in 2011 and wishes him success in his new job at UDM.
- George Blaha, DSBA Active Member, called playby-play of MSU's Spring Football Game on April 30,
for the Spartan Sports Network. This was the sixth
consecutive year George has done so.
- Mario Impemba, DSBA Active Member & FOX
Sports Detroit Tigers play-by-play announcer, initiated for the third straight year "Operation Opening
Day," a project which provides a DVD of the Opening
Day telecast at Comerica Park to displaced Tigers
fans currently serving in the U.S. military.
- James Oklur, DSBA Associate Member & Grosse
first NFL Pro Bowl.
He previously was a Sports Information Assistant at Saginaw Valley State
Ile Township Schools Athletic Director, is president of
the National High School Athletic Coaches Association.
Founded in 1965, the NHSACA holds its annual conference in Grand Rapids this June.
- Tom Leyden, DSBA Active Member, co-hosted a
Detroit Lions Draft Preview one-hour show in April on
WXYZ-TV Channel 7. Jim Brandstatter, DSBA
Active Member, was a guest analyst on the show.
- Will Tieman, DSBA President, called play-by-play
of MSU's Spring Football Game on the Big Ten
Television Network.
MEMBERSHIP UPDATE
The following individuals recently paid their 2011 DSBA
Membership Dues joining 131 others who previously paid
and whose names already appeared in "The Scoreboard."
Ron Cameron
Joseph Chagnon
Terry Foster
Scott Lesher
Neal Ruhl
Roger Smith
*(S) denotes student membership
DSBA On the Radio
STAFF
Scoreboard Editor:
George Eichorn
Marketing / Graphic Design / Printing:
Genesus Marketing & Communications
DSBA Address:
DSBA Office:
DSBA Website:
DSBA E-mail: P.O. Box 1222
Warren, MI 48090-1222
Phone (586) 558-9103
Fax: (586) 558-9104
www. detroitsportsbroadcasters.com
dsba1@yahoo.com
DSBA Photographers
The DSBA Sports Exchange radio show on WDFN produced by Will Tieman and Adam Ruff with moderator
George Eichorn (left), and special guests Eli Zaret (center) of FOX Sports Detroit and the Detroit Pistons
and Drew Sharp (right) of the Detroit Free Press debuted April 29th on "The Fan."
Mike Alberts
Robert Benko
Ben Eriksson
Bill Eisner
Dave Frisco
Frank Garza
Dan Graschuck
Bill Harrington
Jim Hindy
Laura Loviska
Nick Martines
Janet Slabaugh
Baseball Quote Machine
- Detroit Tigers Manager Sparky Anderson: "Casey
(Stengel) knew his baseball. He only made it look
like he was fooling around. He knew every move
that was ever invented and some that we haven't even
caught on to yet."
- Athletics Manager Jimmy Dykes on umpires: "Despite all the nasty things I have said about umpires, I
think they're one-hundred percent honest, but I can't
for the life of me figure out how they arrive at some
of their decisions."
- Cleveland Indians pitching coach Jack Aker, after
Chicago White Sox fans pelted his club with cushions on Seat Cushion Night in 1985 at Comiskey
Park: "If they ever have Bowling Ball Night, I'm
definitely not coming."
- Umpire Harry Wendlestadt: "If they did get a machine to replace us, you know what would happen to
it? Why, the players would bust it to pieces every time
it ruled against them. They'd clobber it with a bat."
- Detroit Tigers General Manager Dave
Dombrowski, speaking to umpire Jim Joyce following his missed call on Armando Galarraga's
perfect game: "Now you know what it's like to be
general manager. Every day I hear about some trade
I shouldn't have made, some trade I should've made.
You can't win."
- Kansas City Royals closer Dan Quisenberry in
1983: "I've seen the future, and it's much like the
present only longer."
- Sparky Anderson on Willie Stargell playing in the
MLB All-Star Game at Tiger Stadium in 1971: "He's
(Willie Stargell) such a big strong guy he should love
that porch. He's got power enough to hit home runs in
any park, including Yellowstone."
- Umpire Ron Luciano: "Umpire's heaven is a place
where he works third base every game. Home is
where the heartache is."
CALVIN JOHNSON FACTS
• Born September 25, 1985
in Newnan, Georgia.
• Played college football at
Georgia Tech.
• Drafted as the 2nd overall
pick by the Lions in 2007.
• Was named to the
Pro Bowl in 2010.
Johnson #81
• Was nicknamed "Megatron"
by Lions coaches and fans because of his rare
combination of size and speed.
PREVIOUS DSBA/PFWA GOOD GUY WINNERS:
2009 - Dominic Raiola
2008 - Corey Smith
2007 - Roy Williams
2006 - Mike Furrey
2005 - Cory Schlesinger
2004 - Eddie Drummond
2003 - Dre' Bly
2002 - Jason Hanson
2010 MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION
OF BROADCASTERS AWARDS
- Frank Beckmann, DSBA Active Member, for WJRAM 760, its Commercial Radio Market 1 award for
Midday Show Broadcast Personality/Team.
- Ed Fernandez, DSBA Associate Member, for
WXYZ-TV Channel 7, its TV Market 1 award for
Station of the Year.
- Bernie Smilovitz, DSBA Active Member, for
WDIV-TV Channel 4, its TV Market 1 award for
Sports.
- Will Tieman, DSBA President, for the Spartan
Sports Network. Its awards:
Best Awards:
Feature Programming: "Kalin Lucas - The Bionic
Man"
Feature/Use of Medium: This Week In College
Football 10-29-10
Sports: Michigan Sports Brief - Christmas Edition;
Play-By-Play Sports: MSU vs Tennessee NCAA
Regional Final 03-28-10
Commercial: The Munn Team - Beavers.
Merit Awards:
A Walk Down Memory Lane
On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of his
birth, the Los Angeles Dodgers saluted former U.S.
President Ronald Reagan, shown here with Hall of
Fame announcer Vin Scully at the 1989 MLB AllStar Game in Anaheim, CA. Photo courtesy of NBC
Sports & MLB.
Feature Programming: "Burning Questions Korie Lucious in Hawaii"
Sports: Michigan Sports Brief - Filling the Void;
Play-By-Play Sports: MSU vs Notre Dame
09/18/10
Commercial: MSU Season Tickets - Red Cedar
Marketing Materials & Promos.
- CONGRATULATIONS Frank, Ed, Bernie, Will
and everyone who contributed to these awards.
-DSBA Executive Committee