Students Goldsmith and Thompson accept Chick Hearn Scholarship at Lakers game

Family and friends joined broadcast journalism students Alex Goldsmith and Trevor Thompson at Sunday’s Lakers game to celebrate as they were honored at center court during halftime. Goldsmith and Thompson are this year’s winners of the annual Chick Hearn Memorial Scholarship recognizing outstanding student broadcast talent.

Before the game they were interviewed in the shadow of the Magic Johnson statue at Staples Center by Bill MacDonald of Fox Sports Net West. They also met Marge Hearn, widow of the legendary sports announcer, who encouraged them to pursue their professional dreams.

“I was really nervous before the pregame interview with Bill MacDonald,” Goldsmith said. “But once we started the interview I settled in pretty quickly. This is such an incredible opportunity, and I’m so thankful to the Lakers and USC for this honor.”

“I thought the pre-game interview on Fox Sports was going to make me really nervous, but Mrs. Hearn, who sat next to us during the interview, had such a calming presence and was so kind it made the pre-game interview easy and fun," Thompson said. "It was an incredible experience actually getting to go onto the court at halftime and see the court, see the stadium from the same angles the players do."

“Of all the honors that Chick received, I believe he would have been most proud of this scholarship,” Marge Hearn said. “He never was able to complete his own education and he would have been very pleased that students like Trevor and Alex have the help they need to pursue their dreams.”

Thompson, a junior from Valencia, Calif., and Goldsmith, a senior from Santa Fe, N.M., have had a passion for sports broadcasting for years.

Thompson has been sports anchor at USC’s Annenberg TV News (ATVN) for two semesters, where he has also been the news anchor and sports reporter, and has written, shot, and produced day-of-air sports packages. He has hosted sports programs on USC’s KSCR Radio, and is an intern at KCAL/KCBS in Los Angeles, where he assists reporters and Web editors with the production of sports stories. He has also interned at WTVF News in Nashville. “Since I’m not playing competitive sports every day anymore, commenting and reporting on sports is the way I still feel like I’m in touch and have a connection,” he said.

Goldsmith got his sports broadcasting start in 2004, when he was a 15-year-old host of a public radio show and part-time ticket taker for the Santa Fe Roadrunners hockey team. When the team’s public address announcer didn’t show up for a game, he was tapped on the shoulder while taking tickets and picked to be the replacement. He is the sports director of ATVN, where he has also been on air as a sports anchor and reporter. He is the head of team media, lead broadcaster and official team blogger for the USC ice hockey team, and has been play-by-play broadcaster, color commentator and reporter for USC football, baseball and women’s soccer on KSCR.

“To be associated with Chick Hearn in any way is unbelievable,” Goldsmith said. “I don’t think there’s been an announcer who has done as much for their sport as Chick Hearn. His passion lifted the sport of basketball.”

The Chick Hearn Memorial Scholarship was established in 2002 at the request of the Hearn family and the Lakers in tribute to the legendary announcer. In addition to his more than 40 years with the Lakers, Hearn spent 1956-61 as the announcer for USC Trojan football and basketball games. In 1959, he was inducted into USC’s Skull and Dagger Society as the “Voice of Troy.” To continue the legacy of Hearn, this scholarship provides talented broadcast journalism students at USC Annenberg’s School of Journalism with the opportunity to further develop their own unique voices.

The public may continue to contribute to the fund to help deserving journalism students seeking careers in sports broadcasting. Donations may be sent to USC Annenberg Chick Hearn Fund, USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism, 3502 Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0281.

"USC has been so generous to me that I cannot thank them enough for all they have done for me," Thompson said. "This scholarship is just one of many opportunities the university has provided for me. I am and will always be a Trojan!"