Sadak named state's top sportscaster

Wilmington, Del. - The Wilmington Blue Rocks are proud to announce that lead play-by-play announcer John Sadak has been named 2009 Delaware Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association.

"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 broadcasters 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 Royals. John is as talented as any broadcaster we have ever had."

In 2009, Sadak's Delaware work included the play-by-play of the Carolina League's winningest team on the regular season with the Blue Rocks. He also announced University of Delaware women's basketball on the radio for a sixth straight season and called the television play-by-play of the first-ever regular-season meeting between the University of Delaware and Delaware State University football teams.

In the greater Delaware Valley, his 2009 work included radio play-by-play of Princeton University men's basketball, TV announcing of Princeton football and women's basketball, the nationwide call of the men's water polo Final Four for the NCAA and television play-by-play of Division II football throughout Pennsylvania among other fill-in assignments.

Sadak's work has been recognized multiple times over the years, including top sportscasting honors from the Delaware Press Association in 2007 and 2009. His efforts have also 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 Incorporated, among others.

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 approximately 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 the 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 Delaware Sportscaster of the Year award will be presented in May in Salisbury, N.C.