Broadcast journalism students Jeremy Hall and Matthew Landes had a Sunday evening they both say they'll never forget at Staples Center. They were introduced at center court during halftime of the Los Angeles Lakers' 118-108 win against the Sacramento Kings as the winners of the 2009 winners of the Chick Hearn Memorial Scholarship. Before the game, they were interviewed by Fox Sports Net's Lakers Live prior to tip-off (watch the video here).
"I expected it to be really fun, but this topped anything I could've imagined," said Landes, a senior from Vista, Calif. also working on a minor in entrepreneurship. "Walking to half court with Marge Hearn (Chick's widow), being on the big screen and walking past Jack Nicholson to accept the award can only be described as surreal. It's all a blur, but a blur I'll always remember."
The annual scholarship is funded by an endowment established by the Lakers in memory of Hall of Fame sports broadcaster Chick Hearn, who died in 2002. In addition to major gifts from the Lakers and Marge Hearn, hundreds of fans have contributed to the scholarship fund at USC Annenberg, which now totals more than $200,000.
“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., said he never thought he would be interviewed during a Lakers broadcast.
"Chick Hearn is an icon of sports," Hall said. "Growing up, I always dreamed of playing for the Lakers, but this is the second-best option behind that. No matter how many games I go to in my life, nothing will ever top this night."
Before the game, Hall and Landes were interviewed by USC alumnus and Lakers Live host Bill Macdonald (pictured above right with students). "Try to tell the folks at home the facilities that you have over at SC, because it's just absolutely phenomenal isn't it?" Macdonald said. "You get very, very professional stuff over there."
Landes said he would make a good team with Hall because they have worked well together at USC's nightly student-produced television news broadcast, Annenberg TV News.
"I like doing behind-the-scenes stuff — hands on," Hall told Macdonald. "I don't have to be in front of the camera."
Along with the scholarship, the students will have the opportunity to intern at Fox Sports Net, working on Lakers broadcasts and other projects.
“Chick Hearn represented the best in sports broadcasting and community service,” said Ernest J. Wilson III, dean of the
Landes is a producer for ATVN and assembles the Wednesday night broadcasts. He 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
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,
