TOM CHARD Staff Writer
Portland Press Herald (Maine)
07-19-2006
Fund established to commemorate late sportscaster ; The Frank Fixaris Memorial Endowment will help St. Joseph's students aspiring to work in broadcasting.
Byline: TOM CHARD Staff Writer
Edition: FINAL
Section: Sports
STANDISH --
The late Frank Fixaris encouraged many an aspiring broadcaster during his long career as southern Maine's top sports announcer. Known for gently offering advice or an encouraging word, Fixaris was admired for his talent and professionalism.
Now Fixaris's legacy will live on through the Frank Fixaris Memorial Endowment at St. Joseph's College.
St. Joseph's College officials revealed details of the endowment at a news conference on Tuesday.
Through a partnership with the Portland Sea Dogs, the Portland Pirates and other sports teams and organizations, the college has set an endowment goal of $1 million. St. Joseph's will start the endowment with two $5,000 scholarships this September for a deserving junior and senior studying journalism and broadcasting.
David House, president of St. Joseph's College, said those scholarships will grow to $10,000 each in a few years.
'Frank Fixaris's legacy will live on,' said House.
Fixaris worked for WGME for 30 years. He died in January in a fire at his home in Falmouth. At the time, Fixaris co-hosted the popular 'Morning Jab' sports talk show on WJAB radio.
Today from 8 to 10 a.m., WJAB will devote airtime to Fixaris through recollections of colleagues and information on the endowment.
Prior to his TV career, Fixaris worked in radio at local stations. Besides anchoring the 6 and 11 p.m., sports reports at Channel 13, Fixaris was known for years as a top-notch play-by-play announcer of high school basketball and football. He served as color commentator on radio for the Maine Mariners and later the Pirates, both of the American Hockey League.
Four events have been planned to raise money for the endowment. Both the Sea Dogs and Pirates will donate a portion of ticket sales from a game to the fund.
Gary Prolman, director of the Maine High School Hockey Invitational, said a tournament called the Fixpot, modeled after the collegiate Beanpot in Boston, will be held on Jan. 22 and 29, 2007, at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Cape Elizabeth, Cheverus, Falmouth and Scarborough will vie for the title with all proceeds going to the endowment.
A celebrity golf tournament will be held at Riverside Golf Course in August 2007 to raise funds.
It is hoped that in time, the endowment also will support internships for students in broadcast journalism, stipends for middle school and high school athletes to attend athletic camps at St. Joseph's, a lecture series featuring national sports figures, and enhancement of the college's radio station to better prepare students in broadcast journalism.
'Fix was one of the originals,' said Kim Block, WGME-TV news anchor and colleague of Fixaris. 'Frank was smooth and competent during the days of early technology. He never missed a beat. He loved broadcasting. I know he helped me tremendously when I was starting out.'
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Copyright 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
Portland Press Herald (Maine)
07-19-2006
Fund established to commemorate late sportscaster ; The Frank Fixaris Memorial Endowment will help St. Joseph's students aspiring to work in broadcasting.
Byline: TOM CHARD Staff Writer
Edition: FINAL
Section: Sports
STANDISH --
The late Frank Fixaris encouraged many an aspiring broadcaster during his long career as southern Maine's top sports announcer. Known for gently offering advice or an encouraging word, Fixaris was admired for his talent and professionalism.
Now Fixaris's legacy will live on through the Frank Fixaris Memorial Endowment at St. Joseph's College.
St. Joseph's College officials revealed details of the endowment at a news conference on Tuesday.
Through a partnership with the Portland Sea Dogs, the Portland Pirates and other sports teams and organizations, the college has set an endowment goal of $1 million. St. Joseph's will start the endowment with two $5,000 scholarships this September for a deserving junior and senior studying journalism and broadcasting.
David House, president of St. Joseph's College, said those scholarships will grow to $10,000 each in a few years.
'Frank Fixaris's legacy will live on,' said House.
Fixaris worked for WGME for 30 years. He died in January in a fire at his home in Falmouth. At the time, Fixaris co-hosted the popular 'Morning Jab' sports talk show on WJAB radio.
Today from 8 to 10 a.m., WJAB will devote airtime to Fixaris through recollections of colleagues and information on the endowment.
Prior to his TV career, Fixaris worked in radio at local stations. Besides anchoring the 6 and 11 p.m., sports reports at Channel 13, Fixaris was known for years as a top-notch play-by-play announcer of high school basketball and football. He served as color commentator on radio for the Maine Mariners and later the Pirates, both of the American Hockey League.
Four events have been planned to raise money for the endowment. Both the Sea Dogs and Pirates will donate a portion of ticket sales from a game to the fund.
Gary Prolman, director of the Maine High School Hockey Invitational, said a tournament called the Fixpot, modeled after the collegiate Beanpot in Boston, will be held on Jan. 22 and 29, 2007, at the Cumberland County Civic Center. Cape Elizabeth, Cheverus, Falmouth and Scarborough will vie for the title with all proceeds going to the endowment.
A celebrity golf tournament will be held at Riverside Golf Course in August 2007 to raise funds.
It is hoped that in time, the endowment also will support internships for students in broadcast journalism, stipends for middle school and high school athletes to attend athletic camps at St. Joseph's, a lecture series featuring national sports figures, and enhancement of the college's radio station to better prepare students in broadcast journalism.
'Fix was one of the originals,' said Kim Block, WGME-TV news anchor and colleague of Fixaris. 'Frank was smooth and competent during the days of early technology. He never missed a beat. He loved broadcasting. I know he helped me tremendously when I was starting out.'
Staff Writer Tom Chard can be contacted at 791-6419 or at:
tchard@pressherald.com
Copyright 2006 Blethen Maine Newspapers Inc.
