Nessler, who began his career for WGST in 1980, was honored by the Atlanta Sports Council. A longtime Duluth resident, Nessler is a college football and basketball play-by-play man for ESPN (since 1992) and ABC (since 1997).

"Any time you're recognized for the work you do in your field is something special," Nessler said in a statement given to the media. "But to receive an award named for a man you have so much respect for, Furman Bisher, is truly an honor."

The Award is named for longtime Atlanta Journal-Constitution columnist Furman Bisher to honor outstanding coverage of local sports.

Bisher said he first became award of Nessler when he was working at WGST. Bisher said he quickly realized that Nessler wasn't going to be there long.

"He's a delight. I love him," said Bisher, who will present the award to Nessler at the Atlanta Sports Awards banquet on March 8 at the Fox Theater. It will be the first time that Bisher has been on hand to give away the award named after him. "He's [Nessler] always so good-natured. I don't care what the score is, his voice always sounds like he's having fun."

After WGST, he became sports director at WSB radio, where he handled play-by-play for Georgia Tech basketball (1980-85) and the Atlanta Falcons (1982-88), before he moved to his native state of Minnesota to call Vikings games from 1988-89.

"It's a privilege and honor to present such a meaningful award as the Bisher award to someone like Brad Nessler, a local guy who has done well nationally who has worked his way through Atlanta ," said Gary Stokan, the president of the ASC.