On December 15, 2022, the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters (PAB) held its annual Gold Medal Gala at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Philadelphia. Each year, PAB awards professionals or organizations in the field with one of five annual awards.
This year, Temple University and Klein College of Media and Communication were the stars of the evening, as three Klein-connected luminaries were honored: Associate Director of the Claire Smith Center for Sports Media Marc Zumoff, KLN ‘92, won the Gold Medal Award; ESPN anchor Kevin Negandhi, KLN ’97, won the Broadcaster of the Year Award and Klein College Dean David Boardman won the Janet and Lew Klein “Making a Difference” Award.
The Gold Medal Award is the highest level of distinction from the PAB and is awarded each year to a native Pennsylvanian who is highly accomplished in the field of broadcasting. Zumoff is best known as “the voice of the Philadelphia 76ers,” as he called the basketball team’s games for 27 years.
When President and General Manager of 6ABC Action News and Past Chair of PAB Bernie Prazenica, KLN ’79, informed him of his honor, Zumoff noted that he had to wonder if he belonged on the list of winners from the past. Notably, Lew Klein received the award in 1993.
“It’s an impressive list and the fact that I’m on that list is overwhelming, and at the same time pretty special,” Zumoff said.
The Broadcaster of the Year Award is given each year to an active radio or television broadcaster and this year, Negandhi was honored for his extensive work hosting the 6 p.m. SportsCenter show as well as his previous work at news stations before going to ESPN.
“I was pretty floored by it. I was speechless,” Negandhi said when Prazenica told him he was this year’s honoree.
Negandhi used to send tapes of him calling Temple Women’s Basketball games to Zumoff and the latter would take time to listen to them and give feedback, something Negandhi is forever grateful for. He was thrilled to find out that he would be able to share the night with Zumoff as well as Boardman, whom he has gotten to know over his years as dean of his alma mater. Negandhi serves on the college’s Board of Visitors.
Completing the Klein College trifecta of the night was Boardman, who was honored with the Janet and Lew Klein “Making a Difference” Award. Since becoming dean in 2013, Boardman has certainly made a difference in the Klein College and greater Philadelphia community.
“We really have honed an identity that makes us stand out from a lot of other places,” Boardman said. “We’re doing great things here and I think we all collectively are making a difference. To have PAB recognize me for that is really a tribute to all of us.”
Boardman is adamant that although he was the honoree, the award is really for everyone who has had a part in making the Klein College community so special.
Early on in his time at Temple, Boardman connected with Lew and Janet Klein and the former was a critical advisor to him as he began his journey as dean. He is particularly thrilled to have gotten an award with their name on it and to have Janet present at the dinner.
“We ended up with this really beautiful Temple theme,” Prazenica said. Zumoff, Negandhi and Boardman all feel even more honored than they already did knowing they got to share the night with each other. A surprise moment was when the Temple marching band came on to the stage, playing several songs that included “T for Temple U.”
The dinner was a night of celebrating the best of the best in the field from all over Pennsylvania, and each appreciated the opportunity to invite their families and show their gratitude to everyone who touched their lives.
“It’s a wonderful evening to recognize the accomplishments of our colleagues,” Prazenica said.