For the first time, an Arizona State University student is the winner of the Jim Nantz Award. Sundevils senior Scotty Gange takes the trophy, awarded annually to the nation’s most outstanding collegiate sports broadcaster by Sportscasters Talent Agency of America.
“Scotty’s been on our radar since his freshman year,” says STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik. “Back then he was much more style than substance. Now, though, he’s found a terrific balance.”
Gange ranked 16th in last year’s voting. He earned honorable mention as a sophomore in 2018.
Ironically, Gange is a graduate of Torrey Pines High School in Del Mar, CA – the same high school alma mater as Chelesnik.
Also earning honors are five 2020 STAA All-Americans:
- Evan Hughes (Virginia Tech, Jr)
- Jonah Karp (Syracuse, Sr)
- Mary Kate Hamilton (Indiana, Sr)
- Brendan Hartlove (Maryland, Jr)
- Emmanuel Berbari (Fordham, Jr)
Karp is an All-American for the second straight year. Berbari’s inclusion is the first time since the initial All-America class of 2009 that Fordham is represented in the AA class.
This is also the first time students from Virginia Tech and Maryland have earned All-America honors.
The Jim Nantz Award has been presented annually since 2009 by Sportscasters Talent Agency of America as a way to encourage collegiate sportscasters to strive to achieve their best. The award is named in honor of the award winning CBS sports broadcaster.
View the complete Top 20 and Honorable Mentions
Judges for the 2020 Jim Nantz Award included Chelesnik and former Nantz winners Josh Appel, Adam Cavalier, Katie Emmer, Alex Faust, Kevin Fitzgerald, Eric Gallanty, Nate Gatter, Ross Lippman and Bill Spaulding.
Congratulations to @Scotty_G6, the winner of the 2020 Jim Nantz award.
WATCH as @STAAtalent CEO Jon Chelesnik makes the announcement on @CBSSportsHQ
Pretty nice reel coming out of @Cronkite_ASU 🎥🎬🏈⬇ pic.twitter.com/OeUIQBKaNS
— CBS Sports HQ (@CBSSportsHQ) May 29, 2020
I am overwhelmed with emotion right now. I can’t begin to thank @STAAtalent enough for believing in me with this incredible honor.
What I’m most proud of is representing @commvt on this list. I feel so lucky to attend @virginia_tech to study Sports Media and Analytics. #VTSMA https://t.co/mzL12JPOj6
— Evan Hughes (@EvanKHughes) May 29, 2020
Syracuse was the right choice for me. I share this honor with @MattPark1, @OliviaStomski, @DDeninger, @JSmithWAER, @SteveInfantiNC9, @jblee883, and all those who have helped me reach this point. Thank you @STAAtalent for recognizing SU year after year! 🍊🍊🍊 https://t.co/gX6pFbFQJC
— Jonah Karp (@jonahkarp82) May 29, 2020
To say I was not expecting this is a HUGE understatement. To everyone who’s helped me, worked with me and supported me over these last four years, thank you for everything. Forever proud to represent @IUMediaSchool and @IUSportsMedia. This one’s for you, dad https://t.co/AJr2i9kZZc
— Mary Kate Hamilton (@MaryKateHamilt1) May 29, 2020
Certainly was not expecting this, but I am so appreciative. Thank you to @STAAtalent, Jim Nantz, and everyone I have worked with at @BTNStudentU, @WMUCSports, and everyone in the @umterps department.
Congrats to @Scotty_G6 and everyone else recognized today!#JimNantzAward https://t.co/3A0NImuOB7
— Brendan Hartlove (@bhartlove) May 29, 2020
Truly an honor to be mentioned alongside so many talented broadcasters I have come to admire. Thanks so much to everyone who has helped so far! https://t.co/3s29jRf2v4
— Emmanuel Berbari (@BerbariOnAir) May 29, 2020
BREAKING: The winner of the 2020 Jim Nantz Award is Scotty Gange (Arizona State, Sr) @Scotty_G6 @Cronkite_ASU @CBSSportsHQ #JimNantzAward 🧡 pic.twitter.com/RMCi58p0VQ
— STAA🎙 (@STAAtalent) May 29, 2020
