The Los Angeles Lakers have announced the 2012 winners of the Chick Hearn Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded to two USC Annenberg students at halftime of the Lakers-Memphis Grizzlies game Sunday, Jan. 8 at center court.
Eleni Press and Jonathan Kendrick, both seniors majoring in broadcast journalism, will receive $5,000 scholarships and the opportunity to intern at FOX Sports. Hearn’s widow, Marge Hearn, and Geneva Overholser, director of USC Annenberg’s School of Journalism, are scheduled to make the official halftime presentation to the students.
Also on Sunday, Chick Hearn Night at the Staples Center, Press and Kendrick are set to be interviewed by ESPN and FOX Sports West.
The Chick Hearn Memorial Scholarship, now in its tenth year, was established with support from the Hearn family, the Lakers and Chick’s many fans 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.”
Since 2002, 15 USC Annenberg students have been named scholarship winners. The program aims to continue Hearn’s legacy by giving broadcast journalism students the opportunity to further develop their own unique voices.
Kendrick, a native Angeleno who is minoring in business and Spanish, grew up listening to Hearn and Vin Scully. He calls them his play-by-play heroes and “the soundtrack” of his youth. During his time at USC, he has interned with FOX Soccer Channel, FOX Sports Radio and KCBS/KCAL. He is sports multimedia director at ATVN, serves as one of the station’s nightly sports anchors and writes for the Daily Trojan.
“I couldn’t be more excited about pursuing a career in sports broadcasting,” said Kendrick, who aspires to be a play-by-play broadcaster for a major network or a pro team. “I am grateful for the opportunity to work hard at a job that I have a strong passion for.”
Press, who is minoring in business and sports media studies, is sports director at ATVN and also has interned with the Los Angeles Sparks and at CBS 2 in her hometown of Chicago.
“ATVN has given me a huge taste of what it’s like to be a sports reporter, and I’ve loved every second of it,” Press said.
She credits her father for instilling in her a love of sports; she grew up cheering the Cubs at Wrigley Field and the Bulls at the United Center.
“Sports will always be one of my biggest passions, and I look forward to making it an even bigger part of my future,” she said.
The public may 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.
Watch video of 2011 Chick Hearn winners being interviewed by FSN here.
