BILL SCHONELY - Naismith Hall of Fame Curt Gowdy Award

[BoBoBREWSKI]

www.trailblazers.com

BILL SCHONELY NAMED RECIPIENT OFNAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME’S CURT GOWDY AWARD​

Highest possible honor for asportscaster is bestowed upon “The Schonz” ​

PORTLAND,Ore. – Trail Blazers founding broadcaster Bill Schonelyis the recipient of the 2012 Curt Gowdy Media Award, it was announced today bythe Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

TheGowdy Media Award is named in honor of legendary sports broadcaster and formerHall of Fame Board member and President, the late Curt Gowdy. Theprestigious award is presented annually to members of the print and electronicmedia whose longtime efforts have made a significant contribution to the gameof basketball.

“Wecouldn’t be happier for Bill. He’s been one of the strongest pillars for ourfranchise since its inception 42 years ago,” said Trail Blazers President LarryMiller. “This is a testament to the impact he’s had on fans in the city ofPortland and broadcasters across the country. From calling our championship runin the seventies, voicing the NBA Fan-tastic commercials in the eighties andhis present-day work as our Ambassador, Bill has dedicated his life to thisorganization and the game of basketball.”

“TheSchonz” was the voice of the Trail Blazers from their first preseason game inLongview, Wash. in 1970 through the 1998 playoffs, calling 2,522 contestsduring that span. In 1971 he coined the phrase “Rip City”, which has evolvedover the past four decades to describe the passionate fan base in Portland.

“Iam absolutely stunned. This is something I’ve only dreamed about,” saidSchonely. “To be included with the talented individuals who have won this awardin the past is an honor I can’t begin to put into words.”

Athree-time winner of the Oregon Sportscaster of the Year award, Schonely wasnamed Oregon Broadcaster of the Year in 1995. In 2002, Schonely was inductedinto the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame. Prior to joining the Trail Blazers in1970, Schonely called games for Major League Baseball’s Seattle Pilots,National Hockey League’s Oakland Seals, the Seattle Totems of the WesternHockey League and the University of Washington football team. In 2003, he washonored as Oregon’s Sportscaster of the Year while calling games for thePortland Beavers.

 

[BlazerBeav]

Obviously well deserved, each time I've been able to shake his hand has been a cool moment - always willing to stop and chat with the fans.

 

[BLAZER PROPHET]

Agreed. He's the best.

 

[e_blazer]

Congrats, Schonz. Well deserved for all of his years of great work.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Does anyone still have access to the audio of his call of the 2nd half of the Phoenix preseason game at the MC a couple of years ago?

 

[crandc]

Mozel tov, and well deserved.

 

[BLAZINGGIANTS]

About time. Way to go, Schonz. You'll always be an icon to me. I still remember listening to him when I was young and the Blazers were one of the top teams. I used to get so excited, "Lickity brindle, up the middle." Or "Rriiiip City, Baby!"

Now, I'm old(er), Schonz is pretty much out of the picture, and the Blazers are.... mediocre.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Long overdue.

 

[MickZagger]

Give me Wheels over him all day, everyday, any damn day.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Give me Wheels over him all day, everyday, any damn day.

You are too young to know what you are talking about.

 

[MickZagger]

You are too young to know what you are talking about.

Am I?

I listened to Schonely for years. Especially during the days of Blazervision and Blazer cable when it was my only option. Sure, he coined some stuff like, "Rip City", "lickity brindle, right up the middle", "Red Hot and Rollin", "Mercy Mercy Jerome Kersey" and all that stuff.

But, I'll take Wheels energy any day.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

Am I?

I listened to Schonely for years. Especially during the days of Blazervision and Blazer cable when it was my only option. Sure, he coined some stuff like, "Rip City", "lickity brindle, right up the middle", "Red Hot and Rollin", "Mercy Mercy Jerome Kersey" and all that stuff.

But, I'll take Wheels energy any day.

I am shedding a tear right now for your youthful ignorance. But I forgive you.

 

[MickZagger]

I am shedding a tear right now for your youthful ignorance. But I forgive you.

I'm ignorant because I don't share the same opinion as you?

 

[chris_in_pdx]

I'm ignorant because I don't share the same opinion as you?

Because you don't have the knowledge I do of Bill Schonley in his prime and what he meant to this franchise and this city. It's not your fault.

 

[MickZagger]

What did he mean to the city? Explain.

 

[chris_in_pdx]

What did he mean to the city? Explain.

Obviously enough to be voted into the Basketball Hall Of Fame.

Buy this. You'll understand.

 

[THE HCP]

Schonz is the man! Congrats to him!

 

[julius]

I miss bill, but his time had come. I wish they'd have him be part of the broadcast ( if he wanted), preferably tv

 

[Haakzilla]

Buy this. You'll understand.

"Basicallly, what went wrong for Philadelphia was that we were the better team" -- Bill Walton, Trail Blazers center after the deciding game of the NBA Championship Playoffs.