Smith Named PSAC Media Award Winner
LOCK HAVEN, Pa. –-- Gary Smith, Director of CUTV Operations, has been selected as the 2019 Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference George Heaslip Media Award winner, the league has announced. Smith received the award today at the PSAC’s Football Media Luncheon.
Smith has played an integral role in the coverage of Cal U and PSAC events for the last 25 years. He has been a full-time employee at CUTV for over 15 years and has recently taken on duties as adviser of the student radio station, WCAL.
Smith has broadcast countless Vulcan athletic events during his tenure. He continues to supervise an ever-changing student staff that is responsible for covering all Cal U football games - both home and away - and an entire slate of PSAC Western Division women's and men's basketball games.
Furthermore, he has assisted in many PSAC promotional efforts, including the production of preseason videos and public service announcements. Smith has also supervised a staff that has traveled throughout the state to broadcast numerous PSAC Championship events.
Outside of television broadcasts, Smith has been among the league's pioneers in providing live webcasts, which includes his efforts as a member of the PSAC Network's Planning Committee. He also plays a key role in assisting the Cal U sports information department in producing coaches shows and web streams of live Vulcan sporting events.
Smith began his tenure covering Vulcan athletics as an undergraduate student, earning a bachelor’s degree in communication studies in 1998. He owns a master’s degree from Cal U, as well, completing a degree in geography and regional planning in 2001.
Smith becomes the 31st recipient of the award, which is chosen annually by the league’s sports information directors. Named in honor of the late Cheyney University Sports Information Director George Heaslip, the award recognizes a media professional for his or her meritorious service while covering the conference's student-athletes, coaches, and teams.
Year-by-Year Heaslip Award Winners:
2018 - Andy Ulicny - Bloomsburg University Radio Color Analyst
2017 - Brian Fees, The Daily & Sunday Review
2016 - Neil Geoghegan, West Chester Daily Local News
2015 - Jason Bristol, CBS-21 (Harrisburg)
2014 - John Enrietto, Butler Eagle
2013 - Tom Housenick, Allentown Morning Call
2012 - John Dudley, Erie Times-News
2011 - Matt Burglund, Indiana Gazette
2010 - Kevin Freeman, Lancaster Intelligencer-Journal
2009 - Chuck Seese, WVPO/WSBG Radio/Stroudsburg
2008 - Tony Coccagna, Indiana Gazette
2007 - Phil Axelrod, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2006 - Bob Black, Harrisburg Patriot News
2005 - Ron Bracken, Centre Daily Times
2004 - Liz Sullivan, West Chester Daily Local News
2003 - Dave Mackall, Pittsburgh Tribune Review
2002 - Goose Goslin, KDKA Radio
2001 - By Kintzer, WGAL/WLPA Radio
2000 - Jeff Schuler, (Allentown) Morning Call
1999 - Bob Hafer, Harrisburg Patriot-News
1998 - Tom Coccagna, Chambersburg Public Opinion
1997 - Bill Albright, Williamsport Sun Gazette
1996 - Jim Camp, Erie Morning News
1995 - Jack Benedict, WCCS/Radio Homer City
1994 - Tom Rose, Washington Observer-Reporter
1993 - Jim Doyle, WJMW Radio, Bloomsburg
1992 - Pete Zapadka, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
1991 - Ray “Skip” Hutter, Harrisburg Patriot-News
1990 - Ross Nevel, The Lock Haven Express
1989 - Ray Kienzl, The Pittsburgh Press