George Steinbrenner student wins NASPAA award
GLADSTONE, MO (Sept. 19, 2012) - The National Association of Sports Public Address Announcers (NASPAA) has selected Zealand Shannon, a student at George M. Steinbrenner High School in Tampa, Florida, to receive the 2011-12 Bob Sheppard High School P.A. Announcer of the Year Award.
In addition to announcing for his school, Shannon works the scoreboard and soundboard for the Tampa Yankees, a minor league affiliate of the New York Yankees organization. Shannon has also posted several YouTube videos on proper P.A. announcing techniques, which have helped spread NASPAA’s message about sportsmanship and professionalism.
"Zealand has shown great initiative," said Eddie Henderson, assistant principal for administration at Steinbrenner High School. "He is very clear and precise with his verbiage and is very knowledgeable of the sports that he announces."
"I would like to thank Jim Louk at the University of South Florida and Paul Olden with the New York Yankees for letting me observe, intern and also get some hands-on experience," said Shannon. "A special thank you goes to the NASPAA for being a great resource for me in my learning curve."
The Announcer of the Year Award is named for Bob Sheppard, legendary stadium announcer for the New York Yankees for 57 years, whose professionalism has become the standard for sports P.A. announcers.
"Bob Sheppard once said that a P.A. announcer is not a cheerleader, or a circus barker or a home town screecher. He’s a reporter," commented Brad Rumble, NASPAA Executive Director. "His P.A. announcing philosophy, as simple as it was, is what guided our selections. We could not be more thrilled for Shannon, especially since this is the first-ever Bob Sheppard P.A. Announcer of the Year Award. We are truly honored to have the privilege of perpetuating his legacy."
The NASPAA is a professional association for sports public address announcers with a mission to raise the level of professionalism of announcing. The awards program is sponsored by Clell Wade Coaches Directory and Balfour.
Contact:
Brad Rumble
(816) 305-6293
brumble [at] kc [dot] rr [dot] com