Cavalier Wins Jim Nantz Sportscasting Award

June 5, 2009 - PRLog -- Adam Cavalier (Sr. Marshall University) has been presented the Jim Nantz Award as the top collegiate sportscaster in the U.S.

The award, sportscasting’s equivalent of the Heisman Trophy, is presented by Sportscasters Talent Agency of America.

Other finalists for the Jim Nantz Award were sportscasters Adam Amin, Sr. Valparaiso, Siddique Farooqi, Sr. Hofstra, Joel Godett, Sr. Syracuse, Jim MacKay, Sr. University of Maine, and Justin Shackil, Sr. Fordham. Each of the finalists has been recognized as a 2009 Sportscasting STAA All-American. A list of the Top 20 collegiate sportscasters from across the U.S as ranked by STAA is available at:

http://www.staatalent.com/all-america/top20.htm

“An argument can be made for any of these sportscasters to have won the award,” says STAA CEO Jon Chelesnik. “What Adam does so well is to create great drama with his play-by-play. He isn’t just describing the action. His sportscasting is telling a story. His court description and verbiage are also excellent. He is ready to hit the sportscasting job market running.”

Cavalier started his sportscasting career 2005 as a freshman at Marshall. His sportscasting experience includes play-by-play, sports talk show hosting and sports update anchoring.

“The aim of the STAA All-America program is to encourage collegiate sportscasters 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 sportscasting skills.” The Jim Nantz Award, named in honor of the 4-time Sports Broadcaster of the Year from CBS Sports, is the crown jewel of the STAA All-America program.

“STAA hopes to encourage young sportscasters to emulate Jim's work ethic, personal values and devotion to family,” Chelesnik says. “We are grateful to Jim for lending his name to this award.”

Jim Nantz Award candidates were ranked according to their ability across multiple sportscasting genres, including play-by-play for various sports, sports update anchoring and sports talk show hosting. To be eligible for consideration, sportscasters need to demonstrate expertise in at least two sportscasting 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 Georgia Tech University sportscaster Wes Durham, and Ohio State University play-by-play broadcaster Paul Keels helped judge the finalists.

About Sportscasters Talent Agency of America:
Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (S-T-Double-A, http://www.staatalent.com ) is dedicated to helping individuals advance their radio and TV sportscasting careers. Services include sportscasting job placement assistance, sportscasting demo and resume construction and talent coaching.

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Sportscasters Talent Agency of America (S-T-Double-A, http://www.staatalent.com ) is dedicated to helping individuals advance their radio and TV sportscasting careers. Services include sportscasting job placement assistance, sportscasting demo and resume construction and talent coaching. Owned and operated by former ESPN Radio Network sports talk host Jon Chelesnik.