May 23, 2002

LEWISBURG, Pa. - Bucknell University radio and television coordinator and marketing specialist Doug Birdsong -- "The Voice of the Bison" - received the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters "Best Local Sporting Event Coverage" award for a small market.

Birdsong, a 1987 Marshall University graduate who has called play-by-play for 18 years, including the last two at Bucknell, was honored for his coverage of the Bucknell at South Florida men's basketball game in Tampa last Dec. 28. The Bison nearly upset the heavily favored Bulls in that game, leading in the final minute before succumbing 59-56. Color analyst Jim Cotner joined Birdsong on the broadcast of the exciting contest.

The award was the first from the PAB for flagship station WMLP/WVLY in Milton, Pa. Other winners for sporting event coverage were "major market" winner WYSP in Philadelphia for their coverage of the National Football League's Eagles, and "medium market" winner WREQ/WDBA in DuBois. Entries were judged by the Virginia Association of Broadcasters.

"I am extremely grateful to the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters and our broadcast brethren from Virginia for choosing the Bison Sports Network for this award," said Birdsong. "I hope it shows that everyone on the Bison Sports Network really enjoys what they are doing as we carry the exploits of the fine young men and women of Bucknell Athletics throughout the state and even the world via the Internet."

Birdsong is also the play-by-play voice of the Bison football and women's basketball teams, and this spring he called games in men's and women's lacrosse, baseball, softball and women's water polo.

The next Bison Sports Network event will be the football team's 2002 opener at Duquesne on Sept. 7.