Golden Goody Awards
Tom Goodhines
Wednesday August 23, 2000
Without further ado – here they are!!
The “Golden Goody” for “Top network”, goes to… The Nashville Network (TNN). Without question, awarding TNN the regular season broadcast package was the best move that the league has made since landing the “Preview Season” on ESPN in 1987. TNN has given the AFL a shot in the arm with “major league” treatment. The “30-Minute Drill” pre-game, “Degree” halftime show, and post-game coverage exceeded all expectations. Nobody can argue with the improvement in coverage that this network has provided compared to years past.
ERT Productions, which is the crew that produced the games for TNN, deserves a lot of credit for the dedication and professionalism that they brought to their weekly broadcasts. Producer Mike Moore, director Jeff Montoni, associate producer Tom Scofield, and pre-game producer Emily Berman are just a few of the people behind the scenes that helped make it happen. Honorable mention: Sunshine Network; Warner Brothers 61, Phoenix; Fox Sports West.
The “Golden Goody” for “Top introduction/opening,” goes to… Fox Sports West. No honorable mentions here! The opening three-dimensional animation that was created by Slingshot Networks (the same network that brought viewers this year’s webcasts) is by far the best out there. Arena team helmets chase through the city of Los Angeles, like fighter pilot jets, before they reach the Staples Arena. Then, reminiscent of the Monday Night Football introduction, the two helmets collide at mid-field with the Avenger helmet destroying the opponent. Excellent work by Brian Seeliger and staff!
The “Golden Goody” for “Top pre-game,” goes to… The Nashville Network. Like a bully in the schoolyard, TNN flexed its’ muscles with the “30-Minute Drill” and took all the other networks’ lunch money. Nobody came close to matching this show.
The “Golden Goody” for “Top halftime,” goes to… Comcast Network 8. Consistency plays a large role in any pre-game, halftime or post-game show – and CN8 stepped up to the task with their halftime presentation. Two features, coach interviews and statistics will win it for you any week and in CN8’s case – it gives them the “Golden Goody!”
The “Golden Goody” for “Top post-game,” goes to… The Empire Sports Network. This network shows the kind of dedication that is needed to help a franchise become successful in its market. Empire returns to the arena for post-game reactions, interviews and analysis during their half-hour sports show that followed each game. Nobody else does that!
The “Golden Goody” for “Top play-by-play commentator,” goes to… Bill Macdonald, Fox Sports West. Not since the days of ESPN’s Steve Physioc has a play-by-play commentator brought the energy or interest level that Macdonald has. Witty insight, strong knowledge of the home team, and a smooth delivery allowed Macdonald to edge out the others in this hotly contested category. Honorable Mention: Eli Gold, TNN; Tom Leander, WB 61; Rick Peckham, Sunshine Network; Bob Rathbun, Fox Sports South.
 Ed Cunningham, TNN Image courtesy of TNN |
Cunningham consistently showed his expertise with interesting interviews, former player perspectives, and his knowledge of the AFL rules. TNN used him perfectly in their “Rules of the Game” segments. Do you think that I’m laying the compliments on a little thick? Well, I guess ABC must agree with me. Cunningham was recently inked to a deal that places him in the college football broadcast booth for the network’s Atlantic Coast Conference package. The deal also allowed Cunningham to do color commentary for ABC’s broadcast of Arena Bowl XIV. Great move there! Honorable Mention: Artie Gigantino, WB 20 & KCAL; David Norrie, Fox Sports West.
The “Golden Goody” for “Top sideline reporter,” goes to… Tina Cervasio, Comcast Network 8. It is unfortunate that “Arena Tina” isn’t seen out of the New Jersey market. Cervasio is also the chief correspondent for the “Fan Guides” programs that are distributed in every arena in the league. Nobody works harder than Tina to find interesting stories for each broadcast.
 Tina Cervasio, Comcast Network 8 Image courtesy of Fanguides.com |
The “Golden Goody” for “Top broadcasting duo,” goes to… Eli Gold and Ed Cunningham, TNN. Gold and Cunningham hit it off right from the beginning. The chemistry between these two helped lift TNN’s coverage to the tops of the league. Gold adjusted quickly to the AFL and Cunningham’s previous experience in broadcasting AFL games made them the best combo in the league. Eli’s authoritative presence and Ed’s witty and self-deprecating style made them a perfect mix for the national broadcast package. Honorable Mention: Bill Macdonald and David Norrie, Fox Sports West; Mike Gleason and Merril Hoge, ESPN; Bob Rathbun and Charles Davis, Fox Sports South.
The “Golden Goody” for “Most versatile broadcaster,” goes to… Tina Cervasio, Comcast Network 8. Television, radio, game programs – if you can think of it, Cervasio had it covered! This was one of the closest races all season. Empire’s sideline reporter, Bob Trimble, filled-in with color commentary when Buffalo hired Ray Bentley out of the booth, and Time Warner’s Eric Keaton filled both the play-by-play and color commentary roles at different times during the season. Honorable Mention: Bob Trimble, Empire Sports Network; Eric Keaton, Time Warner, Tampa Bay.
 Eli Gold, TNN Image courtesy of TNN |
Honorable Mention: Jill Arrington, TNN; James Bates, Sunshine Network; Bill Macdonald, Fox Sports West.
The “Golden Goody” for “Most improved broadcaster,” goes to… Doug Plank, WB 61, Phoenix. Plank made a nice improvement after coming from the radio side last season. The former Chicago Bear became more comfortable as the season progressed and added great insight from a player’s perspective. Honorable Mention: Steve Tasker, Empire Sports Network; James Bates, Sunshine Network; Charles Davis, Fox Sports South.
The “Golden Goody” for “Special Achievement,” goes to… Bob Rathbun, Fox Sports South. This special award was created to recognize the broadcaster, organization, or individual, who through their efforts raised awareness of Arena Football. Rathbun wins this debut award for his professionalism in the booth and for his return to Arenaball after a 13-year absence. (Rathbun was the original play-by-play commentator on ESPN’s 1987 AFL broadcasts.)
The “Golden Goody” for “Best observation,” goes to… Bill Macdonald, Fox Sports West. “One thing that you want to make sure of in this situation – is to not let Hunkie Cooper touch the ball.” Macdonald’s statement was made just before Cooper returned a kickoff for a touchdown as the clock expired in the Rattlers 54-51 victory over the Avengers at Staples Arena on June 10.
The “Golden Goody” for “Strongest comment,” goes to… Ray Bentley, Empire Sports Network. “Now you have to start to question – is it time for some major changes within this franchise (Buffalo.)” A couple of weeks after that comment, Bentley was named the new head coach of the Buffalo Destroyers.
The “Golden Goody” for “Top shot,” goes to… Fox Sports West and WB 61, Phoenix. Take your pick of any of the reaction shots after Hunkie’s kickoff return that stunned the Staples Arena crowd.
The “Golden Goody” for “Top interview,” goes to… Gene Deckerhoff and Fran Curci, Sunshine Network for their interview with AFL commissioner in the Orlando at Oklahoma game. Viewers were able to find out first-hand how strong of an interest Dallas Cowboys’ owner Jerry Jones had in acquiring an AFL franchise for Dallas. Welcome back Dallas!!
The “Golden Goody” for “Top feature,” goes to… Warner Brothers 61, Phoenix and The Nashville Network. Break out the chainsaw. We’ll need to split this trophy in half. Arizona Rattlers’ Vice-President, Gene Nudo joined the WB 61 broadcast team twice in the booth. It was very entertaining and gave viewers a deeper look into some of the elements that take place behind the scenes. On the other hand, TNN’s use of Houston quarterback, Mike Hold as an “on-the-field commentator” during the Iowa/Houston game was uncharted territory. Both deserve the recognition.
The “Golden Goody” for “Top audio,” goes to… The Nashville Network. Pick any of the segments where TNN went into the locker rooms and you weren’t disappointed. The best use of audio came in the Albany/New Jersey game when the TNN microphones were able to catch Albany quarterback Mike Pawlawski talking to his center, Kyle Moore-Brown, about their troubles with the snap.
The “Golden Goody” for “Top graphic,” goes to… Empire Sports Network. Showing a comparison of Nashville (19-11) and Buffalo’s (1-20) first two seasons. Honorable Mention: TNN, showing the final score of the af2 game between Quad Cities and Greensboro – 103-3.
Congratulations to all the winners!
A special year-ending thanks to Arizona’s JT Thompson, Arizona’s Gene Nudo, Carolina’s Nathan Boudreaux, New Jersey’s Kevin McKearney, Butch Richards, Time Warner’s Eric Keaton, Los Angeles’ John Tamanaha, Artie Gigantino, Oklahoma’s Wes McKinzie, San Jose’s Phil Simon, Kevin Sheller, Mary-Ann Karaganis, Ken Gill, and David Cooper.
Tom Goodhines was a writer for ArenaFan Online during the 2000 season.
