Musial Awards To Honor Bob Costas With 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award for Sportsmanship

LEGENDARY BROADCASTER WILL BE RECOGNIZED FOR CLASS, DECENCY, AND GOODWILL IN NATIONALLY TELEVISED SHOW NOVEMBER 23 AT STIFEL THEATRE IN ST. LOUIS

ST. LOUIS – July 18, 2024 – A voice and a presence familiar to generations of sports fans across the nation, Bob Costas has been a prominent part of the coverage of virtually every major sport.  From the World Series to the Super Bowl, from the NBA Finals to the Kentucky Derby, and of course the Olympics, Costas’ eloquent narration, sense of history and drama balanced by journalistic integrity, made him the most honored sports broadcaster of his generation.  His combination of professional excellence, personal decency, and generosity of spirit make him a deserving recipient of the 2024 Stan Musial Lifetime Achievement Award for Sportsmanship.

Costas will accept the highest award for sportsmanship at this year’s Musial Awards presented by Maryville University on November 23 at Stifel Theatre in St. Louis.  The special award recognizes iconic sports figures who have embodied class, dignity, generosity, integrity, and excellence over the course of their careers.  Previous recipients include Bill Bradley, Albert Pujols, Wayne & Janet Gretzky, Hank Aaron, Bart Conner & Nadia Comaneci, Jim Thome, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Cal Ripken, Jr., Arnold Palmer, and Joe Torre.

Throughout his illustrious career, Costas weaved insight with excitement, historical perspective with a touch of romanticism, and a commitment to journalism all with a polished description of the events he observed.  Whether he was doing play-by-play, anchoring coverage of the Olympics, interviewing the biggest, most consequential figures, or providing thoughtful opinions on the topics of the day, Costas exuded respect for his craft and a sense of fairness.  Those qualities, plus his humanitarian and charitable endeavors, merit him this award bearing the name of Stan Musial – someone Costas admired, befriended, and ultimately eulogized.

The Musial Family said, “Throughout his life and career, Bob has set a wonderful standard through his intellect, craftsmanship, and civility.  Our dad was always fond of Bob, so it was fitting that Bob delivered a beautiful and poignant eulogy at his funeral in 2013.  We marvel at Bob’s thoughtful approach as a broadcaster, his honorable focus on equity and objectivity, and his passion for the art of broadcasting that have been gifts to millions of fans who watched and listened over the past five decades.”

A native of Queens, N.Y., Costas famously sat in his father’s car on summer nights, tuning into baseball broadcasts from around the country, soaking in the voices of the game and developing an appreciation for the craft of broadcasting.  One of the stations Costas tuned in occasionally was KMOX in St. Louis, which turned out to be the station at which he got his professional break in 1974 working as the play-by-play announcer for the ABA’s Spirits of St. Louis.  There, he honed his skills and developed his authoritative, poised, and distinctive style, leading him to become one of the most influential broadcasters of his time.

Bob is forever linked to the careers of icons such as Michael Jordan, Mickey Mantle, Michael Phelps, and Jackie Joyner-Kersee.  His voice is connected to some of the most memorable moments in sports history.  His work has earned him 29 Emmy awards across a variety of categories including hosting, play-by-play, writing, journalism, interviewing, news, and entertainment.  He is the only person to have won Emmys in news, sports, and entertainment – a testament to his versatility.

“This award is especially meaningful to me because of my great regard for Stan Musial, both as a player and a person, and because of my enduring connection to St. Louis,” said Costas.  “And of course, I am very appreciative of having my name mentioned alongside the extraordinary past recipients of the Musial Award.  When you put all those factors together, this is an honor I will always cherish.”

The nationally televised Musial Awards annually celebrates the year’s greatest moments of sportsmanship and those in sports who exemplify class and character.  It is named for St. Louis Cardinals legend Stan Musial, a beloved baseball icon and civic ambassador, who was the ultimate good sport.

“Bob has gone about his Hall of Fame career with the utmost class, and no one can surpass the respect he’s shown to his craft and to the events and people he has covered.  Through his thoughtful perspective, and as a much-needed voice of civility, he makes us all better sports,” said Marc Schreiber, executive producer of the Musial Awards and president of the St. Louis Sports Commission.  “Personally, I’ve been lucky enough to experience Bob’s kindness, graciousness and approachability.  Just like Stan, Bob has a way of making everyday people feel special.  And I know so many in St. Louis have been touched by Bob’s generosity, highlighted by his longstanding support for Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.  Add it all up, there’s no doubt that he is most deserving of the Musial Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest award for sportsmanship.”

Tickets for the Musial Awards range from $18 to $50 and are on sale through Ticketmaster.  In addition to individual awards show tickets, the Musial Awards offers a special Honoree Circle ticket, which includes a seat in the orchestra level, a pass to the Musial Awards After Party, and reserved parking for $125.  All-inclusive packages and sponsorships are also available.  More information and a link to purchase tickets is available at MusialAwards.com/tickets.

The Musial Awards will air throughout the country on CBS in December.  This is the sixth consecutive year the network will broadcast the most inspiring night in sports.

All recipients of the 2024 Musial Awards will be announced in October.

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The Musial Awards presented by Maryville University is produced by the St. Louis Sports Commission and the National Sportsmanship Foundation, a charitable nonprofit organization. In addition to keeping Stan The Man’s legacy alive, the mission of the Musial Awards is to encourage kindness, selflessness, integrity and civility in sports and society – and to inspire people across the nation to be good sports. The event has occurred in St. Louis since 2005. Maryville University has served as the presenting sponsor since 2011. The school’s involvement, leadership and generosity have helped make the Musial Awards the most inspiring night in sports®.