National Honoree - Bob Costas

Bob Costas, one of television’s most accomplished broadcasters, is this year’ 2008 Citizen of the Year Nomineess National Citizen of the Year honoree.

He will have just returned from hosting the Summer Olympics in Beijing several days before our dinner and will certainly enlighten us with his observations and perspective. He is also scheduled to host the 2010 Vancouver Winter games, and the 2012 London summer games.

A native of Queens, NY, Bob attended Syracuse University, where he majored in Communications. His professional career began at WSYR-TV and Radio in 1973 while studying at Syracuse.Bob has been with NBC sports since 1979, and has also hosted HBO sports and entertainment programs since 2001. He has covered every major sport, but is perhaps most identified with the olympics and baseball. He anchored NBC’s primetime coverage of the last four Summer Olympics—Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney, Australia in 2000, and Athens, Greece 2004. He also hosted the Winter Games in Salt Lake City in 2002, and in Torino, Italy in 2006.

Bob’s first olympic experience came in Seoul, Korea in 1988, where he served as the late-night host.

From 1983 through 1989, Bob teamed with Tony Kubek on NBC’s baseball “Game of the Week” telecasts. He hosted the network’s “NFL Live” pre-game show for nine years (1984-1992), stepping aside following Super Bowl
xxvii. Costas has been involved in the coverage of six league championship series and five world series for NBC sports. He has hosted four super bowls.

In the 90’s, Costas returned to baseball, handling play-by-play for NBC’s all star, playoff and world series telecasts. Costas’ reputation within baseball is long standing, dating to his “Game of the Week” partnership with Tony Kubek. His frequent and passionate commentary about the game’s history, appeal, and ongoing problems, has earned him the respect and admiration of millions of fans. His book, Fair Ball, a Fan’s Case for Baseball, earned excellent reviews, remained on the New York times best seller list for several weeks, and influenced the ongoing discussion concerning the game’s direction.

Bob was the play-by-play voice of the NBA on NBC from 1997 through the 1999-2000 season. For many years prior he had been the host of NBC’s NBA coverage.

In February 2001, HBO launched the critically praised and emmy award-winning show “On the Record with Bob Costas”, subsequently re-named “Costas Now”.

Costas has won nineteen emmy awards—fifteen for outstanding sports host or play-by-play, two for writing, one for his late night interview show, “Later….with Bob Costas”, and one for feature reporting. Uniquely, Bob has been nominated for emmys in five different categories: play-by-play, hosting, writing, interviewing (for “Later….with Bob Costas”), and journalism.

Bob has been named “National Sportscaster of the Year” an unprecedented eight times by his peers—in 1985, 1987, 1988, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1997, and 2000.

Costas has a long list of philanthropic endeavors including extraordinary work on behalf of cancer patients. The Bob Costas Cancer Center at Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, in his hometown of St. Louis, MO, is a comprehensive program dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancers and other blood and immune disorders. The Bob Costas Grants for the Teaching of Writing honor exceptional teachers for the innovative methods they use to develop their students’ writing skills.

Local Honorees

Irwin L. Davis, President & CEO, Metropolitan Development Association

Irwin L. Davis is a native Syracusan and has been involved in planning and economic development programs in Central New York for over 40 years. He is President & CEO of the Metropolitan Development Association, the region’s primary business leadership organization and private
sector vehicle for the implementation of key economic development projects. Davis has also served as Executive Director of the Downtown Committee of Syracuse and President of the University Hill Corporation. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Cornell University and completed graduate studies in Urban Development and Public Administration at American University, Washington, D.C. His parents, Martin and Rhoda, were active at Temple Adath, and Irwin maintains an active role in the Adath community.

Ray Halbritter, Oneida Nation Representative and CEO, Oneida Nation Enterprises

Ray Halbritter, Nation Representative of the Oneida Indian Nation since 1975 and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of its enterprises since 1990, has led the Oneida people to an economic and
cultural renaissance over the past 30 years. His accomplishments include achieving federal
government recognition of the Nation’s traditional form of government, creating numerous health and social programs for Nation Members, establishing education and cultural programs, and a home ownership program. Under Ray’s leadership, the Oneida Nation has become one of CNY’s largest employers, and the Turning Stone PGA Golf Tournament has contributed significantly to the area’s charities.

Margaret Martin, Vice President of Marketing, Communications, and Development St. Joseph’s Hospital

Margaret Martin is very committed to improving and enriching the lives of people in our Central New York community. She has raised thousands of dollars for numerous community organizations. Margaret is presently serving on the Chamber of Commerce Board, and is on the Executive Committee for the Board of Trustees for Syracuse Stage. She plays a very active role on the Francis House Board where she co-chaired 2 years “There’s No Place Like Home” annual fundraiser. In her role at St. Joseph’s, she directed the revitalization of the Foundation, increasing income in five years amounting to $15.5 million. She was responsible for spearheading the hospital’s biggest-ever Capital Campaign and establishing the planned giving program.

Special Lifetime Achievement Award

Arnold Freeman, Executive Director Temple Adath Yeshurun

Words such as beloved, cherished, special, selfless, goodness, and menshlekeit do not
adequately describe the personality of Arnold Freeman, long-time Executive Director of Temple Adath. Arnold Freeman was born and raised in the Temple Adath Yeshurun community. A Syracuse native, he graduated from Nottingham High School and then Syracuse University. In 1984, he became the Executive Director of Temple Adath where he was an active member. Arnie devotes much time and energy to ensure the successful operation of Temple Adath, and oversees all
of the various activities within the building.
In many ways, Arnie Freeman is Temple Adath, and Temple Adath is
Arnie Freeman.

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