The Los Angeles Lakers have announced USC Annenberg broadcast journalism students Jeremy Hall (pictured, below right) and Matthew Landes (pictured, above left) are the 2009 winners of the Chick Hearn Memorial Scholarship, which will be awarded on center court at halftime of the Lakers-Sacramento Kings game on Nov. 23.

The annual scholarship is funded by an endowment established by the Los Angeles Lakers in memory of Hall of Fame sports broadcaster Chick Hearn, who died in 2002. In addition to major gifts from the Lakers and Chick’s widow, Marge Hearn, hundreds of fans have contributed to the scholarship fund at USC Annenberg, which now totals more than $200,000.

The Lakers, Marge Hearn and Geneva Overholser, director of USC Annenberg’s School of Journalism, are scheduled to make the official presentation to Hall and Landes during Chick Hearn Night, the game closest to the date of Hearn’s birthday.

“Of all the honors that Chick received, I believe he would have been most proud of this scholarship,” Marge Hearn said. “He never was able to complete his own education and he would have been very pleased that students like Jeremy and Matthew have the help they need to pursue their dreams.”

Hall, a senior from Montebello, Calif. majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in business administration, is the sports multimedia director at Annenberg TV News, USC’s nightly student-produced newscast. He oversees the sports section of ATVN’s Web site and posts interviews, recaps and blog entries. He coached basketball for two years at his alma mater, Alhambra High School, where he lettered for four years as a student athlete.

“Winning the Chick Hearn Scholarship means a lot to me,” Hall said. “Just having my name associated with Chick Hearn's is an honor within itself.  When growing up, I always looked forward to hearing him say his famous ‘Chickisms.’”

Landes, a senior from Vista, Calif. majoring in broadcast journalism with a minor in entrepreneurship, is a producer for ATVN and assembles the Wednesday night broadcasts. Landes interned for NBC’s track and field unit at the Beijing Olympics and helped produce more than 40 profile packages. He worked in the field covering Angels and Dodgers baseball and Lakers games for ABC7 in Los Angeles.

“Winning the Chick Hearn Scholarship means more than I can express,” Landes said. “I grew up watching Lakers games with my dad and grandpa, and Chick Hearn's class and signature flair always amazed us. We would always talk about Chick Hearn and we often still do. To win a scholarship in his name is an incredible honor.”

Both Hall and Landes are admirers of Chick Hearn and believe the scholarship will help them follow in his footsteps.

“This scholarship will help me finish up my degree in Broadcast Journalism as well as provide me with a chance to gain valuable experience with the internship position it has to offer,” Hall said. “Having a degree from USC speaks for itself because of all the preparation the school provides, especially at ATVN.”

Along with the scholarship, the students will have the opportunity to intern at Fox Sports Net, working on Lakers broadcasts and other projects. Both are ready to sign up for the challenge.

“I am eager to take advantage of the internship with Fox Sports Net,” Landes said. “I hope to use the internship as a steppingstone to a job that will start my career in TV sports in Los Angeles.”

“Chick Hearn represented the best in sports broadcasting and community service,” said Ernest J. Wilson III, dean of the USC Annenberg School for Communication. “We are honored that the Hearn family and the Lakers have chosen to support deserving USC Annenberg journalism students who will build upon his great legacy.”

The public may continue to contribute to the fund to help deserving journalism students seeking careers in sports broadcasting. Donations may be sent to USC Annenberg Chick Hearn Fund, USC Annenberg School for Communication,

3502 Watt Way, Los Angeles, CA90089-0281

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