Press Release

(January 5, 2009) Collegiate sports broadcasting now has its version of the Heisman Trophy. Starting this year Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (http://www.staatalent.com) will present the annual Jim Nantz Award to the nation’s outstanding collegiate sports broadcaster.

The award is the centerpiece of STAA’s new sports broadcasting All-America program.

“The aim of the STAA All-America program is to encourage collegiate sportscasters nationwide to strive to achieve their professional best,” says STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik.

“We are thrilled to name our award in honor of Jim Nantz (left),” Chelesnik says. “We hope to encourage young sportscasters to emulate Jim's work ethic, personal values and devotion to family. We are grateful to Jim for lending his name to this award.”

Since January 2007, STAA clients have accepted more than 175 on-air jobs in radio and TV sports broadcasting. Many of those are new college graduates.

Starting immediately, STAA is accepting submissions for All-America consideration from students, professors, employers and other broadcasting professionals. STAA will maintain a ranking of the nation’s Top 20 collegiate sports broadcasters on the STAA website (www.staatalent.com). The top five sportscasters at the end of each scholastic year will be named STAA All-Americans.

This year’s winners will be announced June 5, 2009.

In addition to a handsome trophy, the Jim Nantz Award winner will receive a demo and resume portfolio package from STAA and one year in the industry-renowned STAA Talent Search, the most valuable resource available to sportscasters in the job market.

The five STAA All-Americans will each receive three months in the STAA Talent Search, a certificate of achievement, and the prestige and exposure that come with being recognized by STAA as one of the nation's top young sports broadcasters.

“We will collect candidates from among STAA and non-STAA clients alike, and from among outstanding collegiate sportscasters that we come across in our daily course of business,” Chelesnik says. “Some students will see their name on the All-America list and wonder how we even knew about them.” Chelesnik says.

Just as the Heisman Trophy can go to any football player at any position, the Jim Nantz Award can go to an outstanding play-by-play announcer, sports update anchor or sports talk show host. Each winner will be presented the award for their ability in one or all of these areas.

Chelesnik and a rotating panel of other industry professionals will head the selection of the Jim Nantz award winner and the STAA All-Americans.

Who is Eligible
All collegiate sportscasters enrolled in two or four-year schools as of February 1, 2009 are eligible. Candidates do not need to be clients or otherwise associated with STAA.

Submissions
Interested students should email a single mp3 audio file to AllAmerica@staatalent.com. MP3 file should include continuous, unedited samples of at least two of the following sports broadcasting skills: football, basketball, baseball and/or hockey play-by-play, sports updates (minimum two update samples) and sports talk. Play-by-play and sports talk segments must be at least six minutes each in length. Please also be certain to state your school and your expected date of graduation.