OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University has set Oct. 7 as the new date for the annual Sports Spectacular dinner and auction at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum.
Sports talk radio pioneer Al Eschbach will get the 2019-20 Abe Lemons/Paul Hansen Award for Sports Excellence at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. Eschbach will be honored as an individual who has significantly contributed to the growth of sports in Oklahoma. OCU invites the community to the Sports Spectacular, which includes a dinner, entertainment and live and silent auctions.
Brian Harvey, longtime OCU soccer coach, took the 2018-19 honor. Other award winners are individuals who have helped shape the landscape of sports in Oklahoma – Ron Norick, Clay Bennett, Lee Allan Smith, Dr. William Grana, Stanley Draper Jr., Bob Funk, Barry Switzer, Mick Cornett, Bobby Murcer, Bart Conner, Bill Self, Tom J. McDaniel, Sherri Coale, Mike Knopp, Sam Presti, Joe Castiglione, Billy Tubbs, Scott Verplank, Tom McLaughlin and Berry Tramel.
The Sports Spectacular helps raise funds to benefit Oklahoma City University's 22 varsity intercollegiate programs and athletic endowments. The Paul Hansen Memorial Scholarship and the Abe Lemons Endowed Athletic Scholarship supply funding to OCU student-athletes who have completed their eligibility and are within one year of graduation. OCU has captured 69 national titles in all sports and the last three Directors' Cup crowns.
The auction typically features a variety of items. The National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum is located on 1700 NE 63rd Street in Oklahoma City. Individual tickets are $125, and tables for eight are $1,000. Please RSVP by April 2. For ticket or sponsorship information or to donate auction items, contact Chris Maxon, OCU associate athletic director for development, at (405) 208-5431 or camaxon@okcu.edu.
Eschbach was inducted into the Oklahoma Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame in spring 2019. Eschbach has been dubbed the legend of sports radio in Oklahoma. In a career of sports greatness, Eschbach has been a broadcaster, innovator, educator and industry advocate. Eschbach has been in radio for more than 40 years. He continues to host the afternoon drive show for The Sports Animal.
Trained as a print journalist, Eschbach began his broadcasting career in 1976 as the sports director of KTOK in Oklahoma City. In 1985 he moved to WWLS/The Sports Animal where he became the dominant sports talk host in Oklahoma for decades.
Eschbach could immediately assess and discuss the sports of the day in a conversation that resonated with the legions of Oklahoma fans. Al became the first outlet for their sporting news and opinions, and his commentary became legendary to Oklahoma fans. Al was always the original and unique voice for Oklahoma sports.
Nationally, Eschbach was the pioneer for sports talk show hosts. His innovation and passion have left an indelible mark on the format throughout the country. Al's leadership, credibility, and intense popularity has driven the format to new heights in both ratings and revenue.
Eschbach also excelled as the television host of numerous coaches shows from 1973-2006. Al has also worked in the booth as the color commentator for OU men's basketball from 1978-85. And since 2003, Al has given back to the profession by teaching sports journalism at the University of Oklahoma's Gaylord School of Journalism.
Hailing from Jersey City, N.J., Eschbach came to school at the University of Oklahoma in 1963. He began his career in journalism with the Norman Transcript in 1966, became sports editor of the Oklahoma Daily while working for the Oklahoma Journal in 1967. Al became the assistant sports editor at the Journal in 1973, then sports editor the following year and served in that role until 1980.
