STATE COLLEGE, Pa. – State College Spikes broadcaster Steve Jones has earned another accolade to add to his legendary legacy. Jones, who has served as the “Voice of the Spikes” since the inception of the franchise, was named the winner of the 2017 Warner Fusselle Award for Broadcast Excellence as the top broadcaster in the New York-Penn League.
(Photo courtesy of State College Spikes)
The award is given annually by the NYPL to the radio or TV/video streaming broadcaster whose work is deemed exemplary based on baseball knowledge, delivery, production values and overall presentation.
The honor is bestowed in memory of the late Warner Fusselle, who served as radio broadcaster for the Brooklyn Cyclones from 2001 to his death in 2012. Fusselle’s familiar Southern cadence filled an illustrious career that spanned decades and included time spent as the host and narrator of the nationally syndicated “This Week in Baseball.”
“It is a great personal honor to accept an award named for the great Warner Fusselle, who was the gold standard for all broadcasters to follow,” said Jones. “This award also speaks to the commitment of the entire Spikes organization, starting with the visionary leadership of Chuck Greenberg, Jason Dambach and Scott Walker, to the importance of keeping in touch with our fans all over the world through these nightly broadcasts.
“I am also grateful for the opportunity to work with dynamic people like Ben Love and Dan Petrazzolo to create a quality broadcast night in and night out. Most of all, I am thankful for the chance to be able to work with a talented colleague in Joe Putnam as a broadcast partner for the last ten seasons.”
Well known throughout Pennsylvania as the “Voice of Penn State Sports,” Jones has also served as the lead play-by-play radio broadcaster for the Spikes since the club’s inaugural 2006 season.
Jones and Putnam call the action for the Spikes on Spikes Radio Network, presented by Penn State Sports Medicine, Official Healthcare Provider of Penn State Athletics, and flagship radio home NEWSRADIO 1390 WRSC. In addition, Jones and Putnam’s commentary is also simulcast on the Spikes’ streaming broadcasts of each home game on the MiLB.TV subscription service.
Since 2000, Jones has worked alongside former Nittany Lion and Pro Football Hall of Famer Jack Ham calling Penn State football radio broadcasts, while the 2017-18 season marks his 36th year calling PSU men’s hoops. In addition to his play-by-play roles, Steve also hosts the weekly “Penn State Coaches Show” with Head Football Coach James Franklin and Head Men’s Basketball Coach Patrick Chambers.
Jones has also been a fixture on many different radio and television stations throughout Centre County and currently hosts “Sports Talk with Steve Jones” weekdays from 1-3 p.m. on State College’s ESPN Radio 1450 and “The Steve Jones Show” weekdays from 3-5 p.m. on Newsradio 1070 WKOK in Sunbury.
“We are extremely proud that Steve Jones has been named the recipient of this prestigious award, and honored to have Steve calling our games,” said Spikes General Manager Scott Walker. “From day one, Steve has been there for the Spikes, and he has truly seen it all unfold. His career achievements with Penn State and the Spikes speak for themselves, and we are truly happy he has been recognized by the New York-Penn League.”
