Oct. 27, 2003

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Hall of Fame Broadcaster Johnny Holliday, now in his 25th year as "Voice of the Terps," was recognized nationally this week with his selection to ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale's "All-Radio Voices Team."

Holliday is widely recognized as one of the finest play-by-play announcers in the country. In addition to calling the action for the Maryland basketball and football teams, Holliday hosts the Gary Williams and Ralph Friedgen television shows. As the Terps' director of broadcasting, he also handles a myriad of speaking duties within the athletics department, ranging from banquets to golf outings.

His long list of credits includes ABC's coverage of the 2000 and 1996 Summer Olympics and the Winter and Summer Olympics in 1984, 1988 and 1994. He has travled with the Terrapins to each of their last 10 consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, including seven Sweet Sixteens, two Final Fours and the 2002 national championship. In addition, he has covered championship boxing, the Masters, and the Liberty and Aloha bowls.

Washington, D.C.'s most versatile broadcaster, Holliday has covered not only Maryland athletics events, but five Olympics, championship boxing and the Masters. He is involved in numerous charitable organizations and has been named Washingtonian Magazine's "Washingtonian of the Year," a Maryland M Club Distinguished Citizen, and was a recipient of the Maryland basketball service award.

Says Vitale:

"During my travels across the country, I meet a lot of guys who have a passion and love for college hoops. Let me share with you my Sweet 16, who have a special feeling for the sport.

They are the radio voices for their respective universities, and they know everything about those teams inside and out. They certainly follow the national scene too. Whenever I want a bit of information, I make sure I chat with many of these people.

There are probably a lot of guys I am leaving off this list who do a fantastic job as well. I can't meet everybody, so here is my list.

If you get a chance, listen to these guys. You will hear the enthusiasm and energy they generate for college basketball. Anyone who has a special love for the game is special to me.

I present the All-Cawood Ledford Team -- in honor of the the legendary Kentucky broadcaster --in alphabetical order:

Joe D'Ambrosio, Connecticut
Bob Davis, Kansas
Gene Deckerhoff, Florida St.
Wes Durham, Georgia Tech
Woody Durham, North Carolina
Max Falkenstien, Kansas
Don Fischer, Indiana
Ralph Hacker, Kentucky
Bob Harris, Duke
Johnny Holliday, Maryland
Mick Hubert, Florida
Bob Kesling, Tennessee
Bob Murphy, Stanford
Chris Roberts, UCLA
Jim Turpin, Illinois

These guys have seen some of the greatest players in the history of the sport. Behind the mike, they are the best of the best out there today."

Read Vitale's column on his website at ESPN.com.