July 29, 2008

SPRINGFIELD, MA - David DuPree, the longtime USA Today writer covering the NBA, and Bob Wolff, who has broadcast basketball in eight decades, have been selected to receive the 2008 Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame during Enshrinement festivities September 4&5 in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Named in honor of the late legendary sports broadcaster and former Basketball Hall of Fame President Curt Gowdy, the prestigious awards are given annually to one member of the print and one member of the electronic media whose efforts have made a significant contribution to the game of basketball.

"The Gowdy Award presentation is certainly one of the highlights of Enshrinement Weekend, and both Mr. DuPree and Mr. Wolff exemplify the true spirit of the award", said John L. Doleva, Hall of Fame President & CEO. "These two men have dedicated much of their professional careers to telling the story of basketball for millions of readers, listeners and viewers, and the Hall of Fame is proud to honor their efforts."

2008 Print award winner David DuPree wrote for 23 years for USA TODAY, and has worked nearly 40 years as a professional journalist, 30 of them covering the NBA. He previously worked for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post and has worked for CNN, WDCA-TV (Washington, D.C.), WRC-TV, (NBC affiliate in Washington, D.C.) and Home Team Sports (Washington, D.C.). DuPree also wrote a column for Sports Illustrated online during this past NBA season.

In his early years, DuPree made all-city in football, basketball, and track at Franklin High School in Seattle, Washington before attending and graduating from the University of Washington where he was awarded a football scholarship, was a two-year starter as a cornerback and safety, and made All-America in track as a sprinter. In the classroom, he earned a degree in both sociology and journalism.

DuPree's athletic skills were called to action as a journalist, as DuPree played for the Rochester Zeniths of the CBA for half a season for a first person story for the Washington Post, and on another assignment, he went to training camp with the Boston Celtics and played in one pre-season game against the Philadelphia 76ers for a first person story in USA TODAY. DuPree is a regular on Full Court Press on WRC-TV and frequent guest on ESPN's Pardon the Interruption and also worked as an analyst for Washington Bullets television broadcasts and hosted Bullets Jam Session from 1992-94.

In the off-season, he enjoys running a basketball camp with former NBA star Phil Chenier and spending time with his wife, Donna, and sons Aaron and Jondavid. His volunteer work includes helping the Hospice Society of Howard County and serving as mentor in the Howard County Schools Gifted and Talented Program.

Electronic award winner Bob Wolff is one of the most versatile sportscasters in history, one of the most honored and the longest-running in the nation.

Wolff began his broadcasting career in 1939 on CBS Radio in Durham, North Carolina while attending Duke University. The Phi Beta Kappa graduate broadcast a variety of college sports, including basketball games throughout the state.

Now in his 69th year on the airwaves, Wolff just signed a new two-year contract with News 12, Long Island, where he began in 1986. He continues to be seen and heard also on Madison Square Garden programs, a fixture there since 1954.

Wolff added TV to his radio schedule in 1946 as a pioneer telecaster of the Washington Capitols in the Basketball Association of America, later named the NBA. Red Auerbach was the coach. As TV developed, so did Bob's career. He began broadcasting and telecasting network national events and, during the 50's and 60's, became the first and only broadcaster to do play-by-play of the championships of the four major pro sports - the World Series in baseball, the National Basketball Association Championship, the National Football League Championship, and the Stanley Cup Hockey Championship.

The TV voice of the Knicks two championships in 1969-70 and 1972-73, Wolff was the Knicks play-by-play caller for 27 years and was also the TV voice of Garden college basketball including the ECAC Holiday Festival for 29 years, the National Invitation Tournament for 25 years, and the College TV Game-of-the-Week. Seen and heard locally, regionally, and nationally with the Knicks, Rangers, college games and other Garden sports since 1954, Wolff has telecast more games and events at Madison Square Garden than any other sportscaster.

Bob Wolff was also the first play-by-play telecaster of women's college basketball at Madison Square Garden. One highlight was calling Carol Blazejowski's record-setting 52-point game for Montclair State against Queens College in 1976.

Bob received the NIT Media Award in 1992, and has been the New York State Sportscaster of the Year six times. Wolff has won a Cable ACE Award and two Emmys (1989, 1990) for outstanding on-camera work. For his contributions to Madison Square Garden, Wolff was named to the "Walk of Fame" in 2003. He is in the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association's Hall of Fame, the New York City Basketball Hall of Fame and was also elected to the Broadcast Wing of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Bob and his wife Jane have been married for 63 years, have three children and nine grandchildren. They live in Rockland County, New York.