JACKSON, Miss. - October 27, 2004 – ESPN announcer Ron Franklin knows college football. This weekend he will be in Oxford, Miss., calling all the action of the Ole Miss and Auburn football game. On December 1st, Ron will be in Jackson hosting the first ever televised Conerly Trophy Presented by Cellular South.
"I am flattered that the wonderful people in Jackson have asked me to be the host for the first televised Conerly Trophy award presentation at the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum," said Franklin. "It will be good to come back for this event, plus I'm a huge proponent of public television and delighted that everyone in the state will have the opportunity to join in on the excitement of this award."
Franklin has been with ESPN since 1987. He is currently the lead announcer on the network's prime time telecast, ESPN College Football Saturday Night with former coach Mike Gottfried. He also calls college basketball games as part of ESPN's Big Monday tripleheader as well as hosting some of the network's outdoors programming.
"Ron's hosting of this first ever live telecast raises the level of anticipation of the announcement of the Conerly Trophy winner," said MPB Director of Content Operations Gene Edwards. "Ron's expertise is sure to make this telecast exciting."
Founded in 1996, the Conerly Trophy is Mississippi's Heisman Trophy. Named after the late Charlie Conerly, the Conerly Trophy is awarded annually to the top college football player in the state as determined by 60 statewide media voters. The winner will be announced live at the event with all of the finalists present. The Conerly Trophy presentation has been sponsored by Cellular South since 1997.
The Conerly Trophy Presented by Cellular South will be televised live from 7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 1st on Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
About Cellular South
The company is one of the largest privately held wireless providers in the U.S. and is licensed to provide wireless service - to a total population of more than five million people - on its network stretching from the Memphis Metropolitan Area, throughout all of Mississippi, along Coastal Alabama and the Florida Panhandle through Destin/Seaside. Cellular South offers nationwide coverage on a variety of rate plans including unlimited calling and free incoming calls. For more information, contact Cellular South at 1-877-CSOUTH1 or visit cellularsouth.com.
Contact:
Jennifer Griffin, (601) 432-6286
