DSBA Auctions/Awards


The prestigious Kathy Best 'Best of the Best' Award for 2011 sponsored by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association, was given out on Feb. 7, 2012, to Tim Pendell, longtime Detroit Lions front office official, most recently as Director of Community Affairs for 26 years. Tim received the award at a luncheon featuring Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski. Photo courtesy of Mike Alberts.
The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association (DSBA) is pleased to announce the winner of its special individual award. Ken Daniels, play-by-play voice of the Detroit Red Wings on FOX Sports Detroit is the winner of the Ty Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting for work in the sports year 2010-2011. “We are so honored that Ken Daniels has won this year's Ty Tyson Award,” said DSBA President Will Tieman. “Ken has demonstrated outstanding play-by-play professionalism not only this past season but throughout his long and distinguished career.”  Added George Eichorn, DSBA Executive Director: “Ken's award is well-deserved.  He has successfully guided the work of so many professionals in our business. The DSBA congratulates him.”  Previous Ty Tyson Award winners are Ernie Harwell, Ray Lane, Budd Lynch, Mark Champion, Josh Lewin, Jim Brandstatter, Ken Kal, George Blaha, Dan Dickerson and Frank Beckmann.
Red Wings defenseman Jakub Kindl has been named the team’s 2010-11 Rookie of the Year by the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association (DSBA). Kindl skated in 48 games for the Central Division champions this past season, registering four points (2G-2A) in addition to 44 hits and 36 blocked shots.  A native of Sumperk, Czech Republic, Kindl was originally selected by the Red Wings in the opening round (19th overall) of the 2005 NHL Entry Draft. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound defenseman tallied 13 goals, 76 assists and 225 penalty minutes in 237 games with the American Hockey League’s Grand Rapids Griffins following a standout junior career with the Ontario Hockey League’s Kitchener Rangers. Kindl, 24, represented the Czech Republic at both the 2006 and 2007 IIHF World Junior Championships and was a member of Team PlanetUSA at the 2009 AHL All-Star Game. His first career goal at the NHL level was recorded on Jan. 20, 2011 during the second period of a 4-3 road victory over the St. Louis Blues (opposing goalie: Jaroslav Halak).  The DSBA Red Wings Rookie of the Year Award dates back to the 1948-49 NHL season. Previous recipients of the award include current Detroit players Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Johan Franzen, Niklas Kronwall, Jiri Hudler, Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Ericsson.
Detroit Tigers DSBA Rookie of the Year for 2010 Austin Jackson, left, accepts his DSBA Award on April 26th at Comerica Park in Detroit from DSBA Executive Director George Eichorn, DSBA Marketing Director Bill Harrington and DSBA Treasurer Bill Wischman. Photo courtesy of Mike Alberts. Jackson led all American League rookies with 103 runs scored, 181 hits, 247 total bases, 48 extra-base hits, 34 doubles, 10 triples and 27 stolen bases. He became just the fourth player in major league history since 1901 to collect at least 100 runs scored, 180 hits, 30 doubles, 10 triples and 25 stolen bases as a rookie, joining Joe Jackson (1911), Juan Samuel (1984) and Hanley Ramirez (2006) in accomplishing the feat. He was also named the American League Rookie of the Year by The Sporting News and was tabbed the American League Outstanding Rookie in the Players Choice Award balloting. Jackson also earned American League Rookie of the Month honors for April, becoming the first Tigers position player to earn the award. The Detroit Sports Broadcasters' Association has been selecting a Tigers Rookie of the Year since 1969.

- Detroit Lions DT Ndamukong Suh was named the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Rookie of the Year for 2010, in an announcement Feb. 14, 2011 by the DSBA. Suh has had a sweep of major NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year awards. During Super Bowl week, he became the seventh rookie in team history to win an AP Rookie of the Year award. The DSBA established the award in 2002. The winners previous to Suh were Louis Delmas (2009), Kevin Smith (2008), Gerald Alexander (2007), Ernie Sims (2006), Shaun Cody (2005), Kevin Jones (2004), Boss Bailey (2003) and Harrington (2002). Suh will receive his award during the Lions’ training camp in Allen Park this summer.
Also following practice, the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association (DSBA) presented two awards.

RB Kevin Smith received the “Rookie of the Year” award, while members of the Detroit Lions’ defensive line accepted the “Good Guy Award” on behalf of the late DE Corey Smith.

Corey Smith, who signed with the Lions as a free agent in 2006, was lost at sea in a tragic boating accident on March 1, 2009. He was known by players, coaches and friends for his big heart, sense of humor and unwavering dedication on the playing field.  Members of the DBSA and Lions (L-R): (kneeling) DE Dewayne White, DE Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE Cliff Avril, DT Chuck Darby, DT Landon Cohen and DT Andre Fluellen. (Photo: Detroitlions.com)
At the 2010 DSBA Christmas Party at Sinbad's. President Will Tieman (right) salutes 2009-2010 Best of the Best Award recipient John Johnson of the MHSAA. Photo by Mike Alberts.
Lions S Louis Delmas accepts his 2009 Lions-DSBA Rookie of the Year Award at the Lions practice field in Allen Park from, left to right, Bill Harrinton, Bill Wischman, James Rein, and Past President Rich Kincaide. Photo by Dan Graschuck.

Lions C Dominic Raiola accepts his Lions-DSBA-PFWAA Media Friendly Good Guy Award at the Lions practice field in Allen Park from, left to right, Bill Wischman, James Rein, Bill Harrington and Rich Kincaide. Photo by Dan Graschuck.
Frank Beckmann of WJR & U-M Wolverines Football, is the 2009-2010 season Ty Tyson Excellence in Sports Broadcasting DSBA Award Winner.
Goaltender Jimmy Howard is the DSBA Detroit Red Wings Rookie of the Year for the 2009-2010 season.
Pitcher Rick Porcello of the Tigers accepts his 2009 Tigers-DSBA Rookie of the Year Award from Past President Rich Kincaide, Vice President Jim Rein, Executive Director George Eichorn and Marketing Director Bill Harrington. PHOTO CREDIT-Mike Alberts.

DSBA President Rich Kincaide awards a $500 Specs Howard DSBA Grant Fund Scholarship to Jennifer Pozzi, at the July 13, 2009, DSBA 23rd Annual Charity Golf Scramble presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. Photo by Morris Davis.
Dan Dickerson, radio play-by-play voice of the Detroit Tigers, center, receives his Ty Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting on August 7, 2009, from (from left) DSBA Marketing Director & Sgt.-at-Arms Bill Harrington, DSBA President Rich Kincaide, DSBA Executive Director George Eichorn & DSBA Vice President Jim Rein. Also on hand to congratulate Dan was DSBA Golf Committee Chairman Dennis Davidson. Photo courtesy of Nick Martines.
Deanna Nolan accepting her DSBA Detroit Shock Player of the Year Award on July 22, 2009 at The Palace of Auburn Hills during halftime of the Shock-Atlanta game.

 (from left): DSBA Treasurer Bill Wischman, DSBA Marketing Director Bill Harrington, DSBA Vice President Jim Rein and Harrington's granddaughter with Nolan at center court at halftime. Photo Courtesy Mike Alberts Photo.

For More Information:
Contact George Eichorn
586-558-9103
dsba1@yahoo.com
www.detroitsportsbroadcasters.com
The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association and Detroit Chapter of the Pro Football Writers Association jointly announce that the late Corey Smith is the 2008-season Detroit Lions Media-
Friendly “Good Guy” Award winner. Smith proved valuable as a rush end and contributed on the Lions cover units on special teams. He had a strong showing for the team at the end of the 2006 season after signing with the Lions midway through the ‘06 campaign (November 9, 2006) and played in all 16 games (two starts) in 2007. Smith battled hard for a spot on the team’s defensive line. For San Francisco, he was a valuable reserve and special team standout who made the switch from the defensive line to linebacker in 2005. Smith was recruited late during the 2004 season to add depth to the 49ers defensive line after the loss of Andre Carter and Anthony Adams. He spent the 2002 and 2003 seasons on both Tampa Bay’s practice squad and active roster. Corey was the first overall selection in the 2004 NFL Europe Allocated Draft by the Berlin Thunder in 2004. He led the Thunder to World Bowl XII title in 2004. Smith finished the 2004 NFL Europe season with 7.5 sacks. Sadly, Smith passed March 1, 2009 while on a fishing trip with three friends off the Tampa Bay waters. Two other members of the boating crew also died -- Will Bleakley and Marquis Cooper.

Will Tieman, Executive Producer and host of the Spartan Sports Network is the 2008 recipient of the Kathy Best 'Best of the Best' Award for excellence in public/media relations. It was presented on July 13, 2009 at the 23rd Annual DSBA Charity Golf Scramble presented by Farm Bureau Insurance at Cherry Creek Golf Club in Shelby. Photo Credit: MSU Athletic Media Relations.
DEFENSEMAN JONATHAN ERICSSON NAMED RED WINGS’ ROOKIE OF THE YEAR BY DSBA on JUNE 17, 2009.
From left, DSBA Executive Director George Eichorn, Warren Consolidated Schools/WCS-TV academic advisor Candise Watts and DSBA President Richard Kincaide at the DSBA Grant Awards at the July 14, 2008 DSBA 22nd Annual Charity Golf Scramble at Cherry Creek Golf & Banquet Center in Shelby Township. Photo credit - Dan Graschuck.
DSBA Executive Director George Eichorn presents a DSBA Grant check to senior Radio/TV student George of L'Anse Creuse High School (Harrison Township at DSBA Grant Awards at the July 14, 2008 DSBA 22nd Annual Charity Golf Scramble at Cherry Creek Golf & Banquet Center in Shelby Township. Photo credit - Dan Graschuck.

DSBA Prize Award winner at the July 14, 2008 DSBA 22nd Annual Charity Golf Scramble at Cherry Creek Golf & Banquet Center in Shelby Township. On the left is DSBA Golf Committee Chairman Dennis Davidson. Photo credit - Dan Graschuck.
From left, DSBA Executive Director George Eichorn, Spring Arbor University Academic Advisor Malachi Crane, Spring Arbor student Ryan Carroll and DSBA President Richard Kincaide, at the DSBA Grant Awards at the July 14, 2008 DSBA 22nd Annual Charity Golf Scramble at Cherry Creek Golf & Banquet Center in Shelby Township. Photo credit - Dan Graschuck.

Detroit Shock player Deanna Nolan received the 2007 DSBA/Shock Player of the Year Award on June 4, 2008, at the Palace in Auburn Hills from DSBA Executive Director George Eichorn, right, and DSBA Secretary Jim Grossman. Photo by: Mike Alberts.
DSBA President Rich Kincaide, left, presents Past President Ken Kal, right, with his 2007 Ty Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting at the DSBA Media Event on August 20, 2008 at Hockeytown Cafe in Detroit which featured Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix Chairman Bud Denker and A.J. Foyt Team driver Darren Manning, right. Photo Credit: Robert Benko.

DSBA Exec Director George Eichorn, left, President Rich Kincaide, second right, and Vice President James Rein, right, present the 2007 Lions-DSBA-Pro Football Writers Media-Friendly Good Guy Award to Roy Williams on Sept. 3rd. Photo by Mike Alberts.
On April 27, 2009, at Comerica Park, Detroit Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga (left) received his 2008 Tigers-DSBA Rookie of the Year Award trophy from DSBA President Richard Kincaide (left), DSBA Executive Director George Eichorn, DSBA Treasurer Bill Wischman and DSBA Sergeant-at-Arms & Marketing Director Bill Harrington. Photo by: Mike Alberts.
2008 Tug Boat Cruise high bid winner Sal Viviano and his wife at Sindbad's on the Detroit River.
2008 Tug Boat Cruise high bid winner Sal Viviano and his wife and his party at Sindbad's on the Detroit River.

2008 Tug Boat Cruise high bid winner Sal Viviano and his wife at Sindbad's on the Detroit River.
2008 Tug Boat Cruise participants (from left) George Blaha, Ken Kal, Dennis Davidson and George Eichorn at the high bid winner Sal Viviano's reception at Sindbad's on the Detroit River.
2008 Tug Boat Cruise high bid winner Sal Viviano and his wife at Sindbad's on the Detroit River.
The winning bidder of the Broadcast Experience Package auction at last year's golf outing was Don Drozdowski of Washington MI.  The package included spending time with radio play-by-play announcers from the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons. Last September, Golf Committee Chairman Dennis Davidson took Don and his guests to the Tigers game at Comerica Park where they had the opportunity to be guests of radio broadcasters Dan Dickerson and Jim Price.

The winning bidder of the Broadcast Experience Package auction at last year's golf outing was Don Drozdowski of Washington MI.  The package included spending time with radio play-by-play announcers from the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons. Last September, Golf Committee Chairman Dennis Davidson took Don and his guests to the Tigers game at Comerica Park where they had the opportunity to be guests of radio broadcasters Dan Dickerson and Jim Price.
The winning bidder of the Broadcast Experience Package auction at last year's golf outing was Don Drozdowski of Washington MI.  The package included spending time with radio play-by-play announcers from the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons. Last September, Golf Committee Chairman Dennis Davidson took Don and his guests to the Tigers game at Comerica Park where they had the opportunity to be guests of radio broadcasters Dan Dickerson and Jim Price.
The winning bidder of the Broadcast Experience Package auction at last year's golf outing was Don Drozdowski of Washington MI.  The package included spending time with radio play-by-play announcers from the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons. On Thursday April 3rd I met Don and his guest Kevin Biernacki at the Joe for the game with St. Louis.  We started out by having a delicious dinner in the Press Lounge and we were hosted by Wings announcer our own Ken Kal. After dinner Don, Kevin and myself adjourned to the Press Box high above ice level.  I gave them the tour and then met up with Ken who gave them the inside skinny about doing a game.  Don asked how Ken can keep track of everything on the ice.  Ken, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, said that because they were on radio and not TV they just made things up as they go. Next Budd Lynch came along and they got their picture taken with the Hall-of-Fame announcer.  I then introduced them to another Hall-of-Famer, linesman Matt Pavlich. We visited with the off ice officials and were given a demonstration of how they keep track of shifts, hits, face offs won, etc.  We thank them for their courtesy. Kevin brought along his Mickey Redmond jersey and was able to get it signed and posed for a picture with the former Wing and 50 goal scorer. As they say on the TV infomercials WAIT THERE'S MORE.  They got to meet TV announcer Ken Daniels and got their picture taken with color commentator Paul Woods.  While waiting for the game to start former Wing Superstar and now Vice President Steve Yzerman stopped and had a nice conversation with us.  All of this BEFORE the game started. They spent the 1st period standing behind Kal and Woods observing the broadcast before going to their seats in section 101 in the lower bowl as provided by the Wings Media Relations Department. Don and guests had previously attended a Tigers game, which I also hosted, and a Lions game with DSBA executive director George Eichorn.  Don has given his Pistons experience with George Blaha to a friend so he can see what this event is all about.  We hope that Don got a lot of 'Bang for his buck'  for this once in a lifetime adventure. I thank Wings' Media Relations Director Todd Beam for his cooperation and of course Ken Kal for setting all of this up. We, of course, would be remiss if we didn't thank everyone from the Tigers, Lions and Pistons for making this auction item a DSBA exclusive.
- Dennis Davidson, Golf Committee Chairman
The winning bidder of the Broadcast Experience Package auction at last year's golf outing was Don Drozdowski of Washington MI.  The package included spending time with radio play-by-play announcers from the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons. On Thursday April 3rd I met Don and his guest Kevin Biernacki at the Joe for the game with St. Louis.  We started out by having a delicious dinner in the Press Lounge and we were hosted by Wings announcer our own Ken Kal. After dinner Don, Kevin and myself adjourned to the Press Box high above ice level.  I gave them the tour and then met up with Ken who gave them the inside skinny about doing a game.  Don asked how Ken can keep track of everything on the ice.  Ken, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, said that because they were on radio and not TV they just made things up as they go. Next Budd Lynch came along and they got their picture taken with the Hall-of-Fame announcer.  I then introduced them to another Hall-of-Famer, linesman Matt Pavlich. We visited with the off ice officials and were given a demonstration of how they keep track of shifts, hits, face offs won, etc.  We thank them for their courtesy. Kevin brought along his Mickey Redmond jersey and was able to get it signed and posed for a picture with the former Wing and 50 goal scorer. As they say on the TV infomercials WAIT THERE'S MORE.  They got to meet TV announcer Ken Daniels and got their picture taken with color commentator Paul Woods.  While waiting for the game to start former Wing Superstar and now Vice President Steve Yzerman stopped and had a nice conversation with us.  All of this BEFORE the game started. They spent the 1st period standing behind Kal and Woods observing the broadcast before going to their seats in section 101 in the lower bowl as provided by the Wings Media Relations Department. Don and guests had previously attended a Tigers game, which I also hosted, and a Lions game with DSBA executive director George Eichorn.  Don has given his Pistons experience with George Blaha to a friend so he can see what this event is all about.  We hope that Don got a lot of 'Bang for his buck'  for this once in a lifetime adventure. I thank Wings' Media Relations Director Todd Beam for his cooperation and of course Ken Kal for setting all of this up. We, of course, would be remiss if we didn't thank everyone from the Tigers, Lions and Pistons for making this auction item a DSBA exclusive.
- Dennis Davidson, Golf Committee Chairman

The winning bidder of the Broadcast Experience Package auction at last year's golf outing was Don Drozdowski of Washington MI.  The package included spending time with radio play-by-play announcers from the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons. On Thursday April 3rd I met Don and his guest Kevin Biernacki at the Joe for the game with St. Louis.  We started out by having a delicious dinner in the Press Lounge and we were hosted by Wings announcer our own Ken Kal. After dinner Don, Kevin and myself adjourned to the Press Box high above ice level.  I gave them the tour and then met up with Ken who gave them the inside skinny about doing a game.  Don asked how Ken can keep track of everything on the ice.  Ken, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, said that because they were on radio and not TV they just made things up as they go. Next Budd Lynch came along and they got their picture taken with the Hall-of-Fame announcer.  I then introduced them to another Hall-of-Famer, linesman Matt Pavlich. We visited with the off ice officials and were given a demonstration of how they keep track of shifts, hits, face offs won, etc.  We thank them for their courtesy. Kevin brought along his Mickey Redmond jersey and was able to get it signed and posed for a picture with the former Wing and 50 goal scorer. As they say on the TV infomercials WAIT THERE'S MORE.  They got to meet TV announcer Ken Daniels and got their picture taken with color commentator Paul Woods.  While waiting for the game to start former Wing Superstar and now Vice President Steve Yzerman stopped and had a nice conversation with us.  All of this BEFORE the game started. They spent the 1st period standing behind Kal and Woods observing the broadcast before going to their seats in section 101 in the lower bowl as provided by the Wings Media Relations Department. Don and guests had previously attended a Tigers game, which I also hosted, and a Lions game with DSBA executive director George Eichorn.  Don has given his Pistons experience with George Blaha to a friend so he can see what this event is all about.  We hope that Don got a lot of 'Bang for his buck'  for this once in a lifetime adventure. I thank Wings' Media Relations Director Todd Beam for his cooperation and of course Ken Kal for setting all of this up. We, of course, would be remiss if we didn't thank everyone from the Tigers, Lions and Pistons for making this auction item a DSBA exclusive.
- Dennis Davidson, Golf Committee Chairman
The winning bidder of the Broadcast Experience Package auction at last year's golf outing was Don Drozdowski of Washington MI.  The package included spending time with radio play-by-play announcers from the Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons. On Thursday April 3rd I met Don and his guest Kevin Biernacki at the Joe for the game with St. Louis.  We started out by having a delicious dinner in the Press Lounge and we were hosted by Wings announcer our own Ken Kal. After dinner Don, Kevin and myself adjourned to the Press Box high above ice level.  I gave them the tour and then met up with Ken who gave them the inside skinny about doing a game.  Don asked how Ken can keep track of everything on the ice.  Ken, with tongue planted firmly in cheek, said that because they were on radio and not TV they just made things up as they go. Next Budd Lynch came along and they got their picture taken with the Hall-of-Fame announcer.  I then introduced them to another Hall-of-Famer, linesman Matt Pavlich. We visited with the off ice officials and were given a demonstration of how they keep track of shifts, hits, face offs won, etc.  We thank them for their courtesy. Kevin brought along his Mickey Redmond jersey and was able to get it signed and posed for a picture with the former Wing and 50 goal scorer. As they say on the TV infomercials WAIT THERE'S MORE.  They got to meet TV announcer Ken Daniels and got their picture taken with color commentator Paul Woods.  While waiting for the game to start former Wing Superstar and now Vice President Steve Yzerman stopped and had a nice conversation with us.  All of this BEFORE the game started. They spent the 1st period standing behind Kal and Woods observing the broadcast before going to their seats in section 101 in the lower bowl as provided by the Wings Media Relations Department. Don and guests had previously attended a Tigers game, which I also hosted, and a Lions game with DSBA executive director George Eichorn.  Don has given his Pistons experience with George Blaha to a friend so he can see what this event is all about.  We hope that Don got a lot of 'Bang for his buck'  for this once in a lifetime adventure. I thank Wings' Media Relations Director Todd Beam for his cooperation and of course Ken Kal for setting all of this up. We, of course, would be remiss if we didn't thank everyone from the Tigers, Lions and Pistons for making this auction item a DSBA exclusive.
- Dennis Davidson, Golf Committee Chairman
Ken Kal is recipient of the 2007 DSBA Ty Tyson Award for Excellence in Sports Broadcasting and a Past President of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association. Kal is radio play-by-play voice for the Detroit Red Wings on 97.1 FM The Ticket and WXYT-AM 1270.
Live auction winner Don Drodzowski -- who was high-bidder on a four-team Broadcast Experience exclusive auction item -- and his grandsons Conner (with the Macomb jersey) and Kyle (Lions shirt), visit the Detroit Lions broadcast booth prior to the November 23 Lions/Bucaneers game at Ford Field. They are shown here with Lions Radio Network broadcasters Dan Miller (play-by-play) and Jim Brandstatter (expert analysis),both DSBA Active Members. Don had previously attended a Tigers game with Dan Dickerson and Jim Price in September at Comerica Park. Next up -- the Red Wings and Pistons for this friend of the DSBA and our annual golf outing. Special thanks to DSBA Assocate Member Matt Barnhart and DSBA Actives Frank Beckmann, Jennifer Hammond and Rob Parker, and DSBA Executive Director George Eichorn for visiting with Don and his grandsons. Photo Credit: Dan Graschuck

George Eichorn, Executive Director of the Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association is the 2007 recipient of the Kathy Best 'Best of the Best' Award for excellence in public/media relations.