Complete Release at STAAtalent.com

June 8 JG/T-C: Brian Nielsen catches up with John Twork

CHARLESTON, Ill. -- Former Eastern Illinois athletics student broadcaster John Twork has been selected as the winner of the prestigious Jim Nantz Award, recognizing him as the top collegiate broadcaster in the country for the 2009-10 school year.

Twork recently completed his bachelors degree in journalism at EIU and has moved on to a graduate assistant position in the media relations office at Illinois State University.

During his four years in Charleston, Twork worked on broadcast crews for EIU football, men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball. He served as the primary play-by-play voice of EIU baseball from 2008-10 and women's basketball during the 2009-10 season.

During his time as a "four-year starter" covering the Panthers on Hit-Mix 88.9 WEIU and WEIU-TV, he witnessed EIU football, women's basketball and baseball all win Ohio Valley Conference regular-season titles. He was also behind the mic when EIU baseball won the 2008 OVC Tournament and represented the league at the NCAA Lincoln Regional.

The award, sports broadcasting's equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, is presented by Sportscasters Talent Agency of America.

Other finalists for the Jim Nantz Award were sports broadcasters Andrew Allegretta (Sr, Syracuse), John Stevens (Sr, East Tennessee State), Kevin O'Rourke (Sr, Rutgers), Andrew Africk (Sr, Syracuse) and Brian Boesch (Jr, Ohio University). Each of the finalists has been recognized as a 2010 Sports Broadcasting STAA All-American.

“As talented as the inaugural field was last year, this year's field was deeper which made the selection process even more challenging,” says STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik. “What John Twork does especially well is put his listeners inside the stadium or arena by not only describing the action, but also the sights, sounds and emotions of the players, coaches and fans. His play-by-play is a story.”

Twork is in his fourth year as a sports broadcaster for Hit-Mix 88.9 WEIU-FM in Charleston, Illinois, and his third year as the station's sports director. He is the play-by-play voice of Eastern Illinois University baseball and women's basketball and serves as the sideline reporter for EIU football. Twork anchors daily sportscasts on Hit-Mix and contributes to the weekly EIU Panther Sports Talk coaches show.

“The aim of the STAA All-America program is to encourage collegiate sports broadcasters nationwide to strive to achieve their professional best,” says STAA CEO Chelesnik. “We also want to recognize those students who have worked exceptionally hard to develop their sports broadcasting skills.” The Jim Nantz Award, named in honor of the 5-time Sports Broadcaster of the Year from CBS Sports, is the crown jewel of the STAA All-America program.

“STAA hopes to encourage young sports broadcasters to emulate Jim's work ethic, personal values and devotion to family,” Chelesnik says.

Jim Nantz Award candidates are ranked according to their ability across multiple radio and TV sports broadcasting genres, including play-by-play, sports update anchoring and sports talk show hosting. To be eligible for consideration, sportscasters need to demonstrate expertise in at least two sports broadcasting disciplines.

Sportscasters Talent Agency of America CEO Chelesnik evaluated the sportscasters and chose the finalists. A panel including Learfield Sports Broadcast Manager Tom Boman, Indiana Pacers broadcaster Mark Boyle, veteran Atlanta Falcons and Georgia Tech University sportscaster Wes Durham, Cincinnati Reds and Ohio State University play-by-play broadcaster Paul Keels, New Orleans Hornets broadcaster Bob Licht and Virginia Tech University play-by-play broadcaster Bill Roth helped judge the finalists.

About Sportscasters Talent Agency of America: Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (S-T-Double-A) is dedicated to helping individuals advance their radio and TV sports broadcasting careers. Services include sports broadcasting job placement assistance, career development, sports broadcasting demo and resume construction and sports broadcasting coaching.