Rock's Sadak Named Top Broadcaster

MILB.com, January 9, 2012

WILMINGTON, Del. -- The Wilmington Blue Rocks announced that lead radio play-by-play broadcaster John Sadak has been named 2011 Delaware Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

It marks the second time in three years he has received the honor.

"John brings an incredible amount of passion and energy to each Blue Rocks broadcast," said Blue Rocks general manger Chris Kemple. "Through the years, we have had some terrific announcers who have achieved great success. Jim Rosenhaus is in the Majors with the Cleveland Indians, Bob McElligott calls NHL games with the Columbus Blue Jackets and Mark Nasser announces Triple-A baseball for the Omaha Storm Chasers. John is as talented as any broadcaster we have ever had."

In 2011, Sadak's Delaware work included the play-by-play of Blue Rocks baseball on the team's new radio partner, Rowan Radio, 89.7 WGLS-FM. He also called University of Delaware women's basketball on the radio for the seventh straight season. His calendar year calls included the Blue Hens' spectacular four-game run to the CAA tournament title game in March and the biggest regular-season win in program history for Elena Delle Donne and Co. over then-No. 11 Penn State in November.

In the greater Delaware Valley, his 2011 work featured radio play-by-play of Princeton University men's basketball, including the program's record-setting 26th Ivy League title and a dramatic buzzer-beating defeat of Harvard in a one-game playoff for a NCAA Tournament berth. Sadak's call of Douglas Davis' jumper was replayed numerous times nationally on Westwood One radio, CBS television and led ESPN's SportsCenter for more than 24 hours.

Sadak also had the national call of the first Penn State football game in the wake of Joe Paterno's firing and its related child-abuse scandal against Nebraska for Westwood One radio. In addition, he announced the Philadelphia regional final of the Division I women's basketball tournament for Westwood One between Duke and Connecticut. The contest featured the nation's top female basketball star, Maya Moore, crossing the 3,000-point threshold en route to securing a Final Four berth for another radio call that received multiple airings nationwide.

The 33-year-old Rowan University alumnus added freelance assignments with ESPN in 2011 as well, calling football, basketball and soccer games for the network's online/mobile platform, ESPN3. Among the football work, he announced games featuring the University of Virginia out of the Atlantic Coast Conference, Heisman Trophy candidate Case Keenum's record-breaking comeback win for Houston at Louisiana Tech, an epic overtime David vs. Goliath matchup between an FBS and FCS squad and two FCS playoff contests. He also broadcast ACC men's and women's regular-season soccer for ESPN along with the ACC women's soccer tournament's semifinals.

Sadak's work has been recognized multiple times, including top sportscasting honors from the Delaware Press Association four times over the last five years and top overall announcing honors in all formats three times in the same span. His efforts also have been recognized by the Philadelphia Press Association, New Jersey Associated Press Broadcasters Association, Communicator Awards, Society of Professional Journalists, National Federation of Press Women and College Broadcasters Inc.

A native of New York City who grew up in Brick, N.J., Sadak and his wife, Colleen, live in Pike Creek, Del.

The National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association and Hall of Fame is the only organization dedicated to the crafts of sportscasting and sportswriting in the United States. Comprised of some 700 members, the organization includes the most accomplished and talented sports media in the industry covering professional, collegiate and amateur sports both in the U.S. and abroad. Annual voting on state Sportscaster and Sportswriter of the Year awards, as well as the prestigious Bear Bryant College Coach of the Year Award, is conducted by organization members.

The Newark Post's Jon Buzby claimed Delaware Sportswriter of the Year honors from the organization. Bob Costas of NBC Sports/MLB Network and sportswriter John Feinstein of the Washington Post were elected to the NSSA's Hall of Fame. National Sportscaster of the Year Dan Shulman of ESPN and National Sportswriter of the Year Joe Posnanski of Sports Illustrated, along with Costas, Feinstein, Sadak and the other state victors, will be honored on June 11 at the 53rd Annual NSSA Awards Banquet in Salisbury, N.C.

Catch Sadak's award-winning work all season long. Every Blue Rocks game airs on Rowan Radio, 89.7 WGLS-FM, and online at wgls.rowan.edu. Coverage begins 30 minutes before first pitch with The Rocks Report pregame show.

The Blue Rocks' 2012 season begins Friday, April 6 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., against the Pelicans (Texas Rangers). Frawley Stadium lights the lights for the 2012 home opener on April 13 when the Blue Crew host the Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles). For ticket information, please call 302-888-BLUE or visit bluerocks.com. Season tickets are on sale now and the team's 2012 schedule is available online.