The History of the DSBA
Posted on 05-04-2007
The Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association began in the fall of 1948 by Ty Tyson and other sports announcers in metropolitan Detroit. Tyson and others were disenchanted with what they perceived as 'second class citizenship' in the press box at then-Briggs Stadium. It seems the electronic media were not granted the access afforded the baseball and pro football writers in Detroit. Recognition of the organization came quickly. Regular sportscasters of all major Detroit stations became members and took an active role in supporting the DSBA. Membership later swelled as color analysts and part-time sportscasters from smaller stations joined. Meetings were held weekly at the Detroit Press Club as major sports news was broken at the Wednesday gatherings. The DSBA presidency reads like a 'Who's Who' of Detroit TV and radio: Ty Tyson, Paul Williams, Al Nagler, Fred Wolf, Van Patrick, Budd Lynch, Bob Reynolds, Bill Flemming, Bruce Martyn, Joe Gentile, Dave Diles, Ray Lane, Vince Doyle, John Fountain, Bill Humphries, Larry Adderly, Rich Kincaide, Jim Brandstatter and Ken Kal, among many others. Michigan Sports Hall of Fame inductees from DSBA ranks include Ernie Harwell, Bob Ufer, Paul Carey, Frank Beckmann, George Blaha, Tyson, Patrick, Lynch, Reynolds, Martyn, Diles and Lane.
The DSBA is changing with the times. Weekly meetings are now replaced by special meetings with guests and program themes, usually held at Hockeytown Cafe (Detroit). Sports broadcasters, p.a. announcers, producers, writers, sports public relations/SIDs, sports marketing professionals, ADs, as well as student electronic journalists from high schools and colleges are part of the DSBA ranks. The DSBA has a successful Grant Fund grant program, an executive director, popular awards such as the Ty Tyson 'Excellent in Sports Broadcasting Award', Kathy Best 'Best of the Best Award', the Tigers/Lions/Red Wings Rookies of the Year, the Lions Media-Friendly 'Good Guy' Award and Shock Player of the Year Award.
For further information on the DSBA, call (586) 558-9103, fax (586) 558-9104, or write to P.O. Box 1222, Warren, MI 48090-1222. Or visit:
www.detroitsportsbroadcasters.com
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