FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Internationally Recognized Track and Field Expert Frank Litsky to Be
Honored with George Hirsch Journalism Award
New York, October 31, 2013 - Frank Litsky, a longtime contributor to the
world of sports of journalism and a retired president of the New York Track
Writers Association, has been named the recipient of the 2013 George Hirsch
Journalism Award presented by New York Road Runners, it was announced today
by NYRR president and CEO Mary Wittenberg.
Tiffany & Co., an official sponsor of the ING New York City Marathon, will
help celebrate this prestigious event by designing the award to be
presented to Litsky.
"Frank is one of a kind. He captured the best of our sport in words that
captivated so many over six decades [at the New York Times]. As much as
Frank shared through pen and paper with so many, the luckiest of us are
those who know Frank and that simply huge heart of his," said Wittenberg.
"Frank honors NYRR and this award with his acceptance. We are grateful for
all his contributions to our sport, and especially to NYRR and the
Marathon."
"Frank has been a forward-thinking journalist, a knowledgeable observer of
our sport, and has demonstrated a passion that shows in all of his work,"
said Hirsch. "We are honored to present him with this award, and we thank
him for his outstanding efforts to promote our sport over the years."
The award is named in honor of George Hirsch, the founding publisher and
president of The Runner magazine from 1978 to 1986 and the worldwide
publisher of Runner’s World from 1987 to 2003. Today, Hirsch is the
Chairman of the Board of Directors of New York Road Runners. The George
Hirsch Journalism Award recognizes excellence in the reporting, writing,
and broadcasting of the sport of the marathon and long-distance running.
The Award is given to a journalist or broadcaster who has regularly
demonstrated excellence in the coverage of long-distance running and the
marathon through magazine, newspaper, radio, TV, and website journalism is
eligible to be honored.
Previous honorees were Kenny Moore (2012), Amby Burfoot (2011), and Dick
Patrick (2010).
Litsky, 87, began writing a weekly chess news column and covered high
school swimming meets at the age of 13 for the three newspapers in
Waterbury, CT, where he grew up. He was the editor of Crosby High School’s
national prize-winning student newspaper, The Argus. From 1946 to 1958, he
wrote for the United Press. During that time he spent two years in the
Army, including eight months as assistant public information officer of the
United States Army I Corps in Korea. His career at the New York Times began
in 1958, when he was brought on as a sports copy editor who specialized in
Olympic sports.
Over the years, Litsky wrote eight sports books and received many awards.
He was the vice president and secretary of the Sports Broadcasters
Association during the 1950’s and’ 60’s. In the two decades following,
Litsky was an analyst on telecasts of indoor track meets for Home Box
Office, Madison Square Garden Network, USA Network, and PBS. In 1987, he
was a track and field analyst when ESPN re-created the 1984 Olympics.
Litsky became the first newspaper journalist inducted into the
International Swimming Hall of Fame’s media wing in 1997.
"I feel overwhelmed, proud, thrilled, grateful, and humble," said Litsky
about receiving the George Hirsch Journalism Award. "I have been in this
business a long time and I have known many people in every facet. I have
known none better than those at New York Road Runners. As an editor and
reporter, I have been involved with the organization almost from its start.
I knew Fred Lebow from his first day on the job. I watched as George, Alan,
and Mary steered the organization to world prominence. I reveled in the
glory days of Bill Rodgers, Alberto Salazar, and Grete Waitz. I suffered
with the impossible situation brought on by Hurricane Sandy. I am thrilled
by the toughness in recovering from that can’t-win situation; so thank you
all for this award, and for allowing me to be part of your history and your
glory."
After more than 50 years with the New York Times, 40 years as president of
the New York Track Writers Association, and more than 61 years in the
industry, Litsky is enjoying his well-deserved retirement with his domestic
partner, Zina G. Greene, in Washington, DC; West Stockbridge, MA, and
Edgewater, NJ.
About the ING New York City Marathon
The ING New York City Marathon is the most popular and inclusive marathon
in the world, attracting a wide-range of professional athletes and
recreational runners. The race began in 1970 with just 127 runners racing
four laps of Central Park. Now, more than 45,000 runners from throughout
the world run through New York City’s five boroughs, starting on Staten
Island at the foot of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge and ending in Central
Park. The race features the world’s top professional runners and many
running for charity or for their own personal goals. An estimated two
million live spectators cheer on the runners while the global TV broadcast
reaches 330 million more. The race is a key part of the World Marathon
Majors—an alliance with the Tokyo, Boston, Virgin Money London, BMW Berlin,
and Bank of America Chicago marathons—which offers a $1 million annual
prize purse split equally between the top male and the top female
marathoner in the world. The race is the premier event for New York Road
Runners, the world’s foremost community running organization with the
mission of helping and inspiring people through running.
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