In Akron, George Thomas writes when NBC's Al Michaels is "recognized for a stellar 28-year career of calling football games" with the Rozelle Radio & Television Award tomorrow in Canton, he also "gets to walk in the footsteps of his mentor," broadcaster Curt Gowdy. Michaels has "achieved and perhaps surpassed" Gowdy. Michaels' call of the U.S. men's hockey team's win over the U.S.S.R. in the '80 Lake Placid Games "might be the call by which all others are judged." Michaels said, "In terms of a favorite sport to do right now, it would have to be football." Thomas writes going from baseball to football "has only enhanced his stature" (AKRON BEACON JOURNAL, 8/1).
WHO DAT? In San Antonio, Tom Orsborn writes former NFLer Dat Nguyen is "working harder than ever to hone his skills as a sports talk radio host." As co-host of ESPN Radio 1250 San Antonio's "The Blitz" with Jason Minnix, Nguyen "will help interview Cowboys coach Jason Garrett weekly during the season and also provide commentary on the club." Nguyen "wants his brand to be all about accuracy, fairness, fun and hard work." Minnix said of Nguyen, "He has come such a long way, and it's because he studies and preps and goes back and listens to shows to get better. He's a perfectionist. He's also very private by nature. But in radio, you have to put yourself out there. That's been a challenge, but he's done really well with it. And his knowledge of the game is unbelievable. He sees things we don't see" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/1).
ROYLE PRESENCE: In Boston, Joe Dwinell reports when Boston Herald Radio launches on Monday, broadcaster Jen Royle "will speak with authority," and "she won't hold back." Royle said, "I’m not afraid to say what I think -- and I think that’s a formula for success. I’m proud to say I can back up my opinions. I’ve had so much experience dealing with athletes and I’ve been around general managers and dealing with owners." Royle's show will air weekdays from 3:00-6:00pm ET on bostonherald.com and on the Herald’s news and sports apps. Royle previously covered the Yankees for YES Network, then moved to MLB Network Radio (BOSTON HERALD, 8/1).
TALKING BIRDS: In Omaha, Steven Pivovar reports Creighton Univ. baseball broadcaster John Bishop "has been named" the new play-by-play announcer for the school's men's basketball team. Bishop will team with former Creighton player Nick Bahe on KOZN-AM radio broadcasts for the '13-14 season. Bishop has "been a part of the Bluejay baseball broadcast team since 2006, while Bahe has served as the color analyst on Creighton's radio and locally produced television broadcasts since his playing career ended" in '08 (OMAHA WORLD-HERALD, 8/1).
MEDIA MOVES: The Texans' Spanish-language radio team this season "will be veteran play-by-play voice Enrique Vasquez and analysts Jose Padron and Pedro Vella." All are "employed by Univision radio, which airs a weekly Texans show on its national radio network." Texans games in Spanish air on KLAT-AM (CHRON.com, 7/31)....Reporter Ramon Antonio Vargas is joining the Baton Rouge Advocate "as a sportswriter covering the Saints." He will be "one of three Advocate staff writers assigned to the Saints, joining Sheldon Mickles and Ted Lewis" (Baton Rouge ADVOCATE, 8/1)....Kipp Adams and Ryan Bartow start today as national recruiting reporters for 247sports.com, the "newest of the industry's four major recruiting services." Adams covered Univ. of Georgia recruiting for ESPN's Dawg Nation for the past two years. Bartow previously worked "at the popular Clemson Rivals website, TigerIllustrated" (AJC.com, 7/30)....Oklahoma City-based KOCO-ABC Sports Dir Bob Irzyk announced that today is his last with the station. Irzyk wrote in an email, "I'm exploring other opportunities right now" (NEWSOK.com, 7/30).
