Bloomington Leader

Fischer to be Honored with 2022 NFF Chris Schenkel Award

Entering his 50th season with the Indiana football program, the legendary "Voice of the Hoosiers" Don Fischer has been named the 2022 recipient of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame's Chris Schenkel Award, which recognizes individuals who have had long, distinguished careers broadcasting college football with direct ties to a specific university.

"For the last 50 years, Hoosier fans like myself have had the privilege of enjoying the absolute best in the business in Don Fischer, and I am thrilled to see him honored with one of his industry's most prestigious honors," IU Vice President and Director of Athletics Scott Dolson said. 

"This honor, though, isn't so much about Don's longevity as it is about his excellence at his craft. His ability to paint a picture with his words and bring the action into everyone's living room is second to none. 

When Hoosier fans re-live some of the great moments in IU sports history, we do so by remembering how Don called those magical moments. 

I know this award is a magical moment for Don, and I am honored to congratulate him on behalf of Hoosier fans all around our state, the country, and the world."

First presented in 1996, the award recognizes individuals who have had long, distinguished careers broadcasting college football with direct ties to a specific university. 

The award is named in honor of its inaugural recipient Chris Schenkel, the longtime ABC Sports broadcaster who emceed the NFF Annual Awards Dinner for 28 consecutive years from 1968 to 1995. 

Schenkel was a native of Indiana and graduated from Purdue.

"On behalf of the entire Indiana football program, I would like to congratulate Don Fischer on this incredible honor," IU head football coach Tom Allen said. 

"Don has meant so much to IU and entertained Hoosier Nation during his five decades behind the mic. 

He is synonymous with Indiana Athletics and we look forward to his many more years in the broadcast booth."

Fischer will be honored during the 64th NFF Annual Awards Dinner Presented by Las Vegas on Dec. 6 alongside the recipients of the other NFF Major Awards.

"For half a century, Don Fischer has been the iconic 'Voice of the Hoosiers,'" said NFF President & CEO Steve Hatchell. 

"His voice is absolutely synonymous with Indiana athletics, and he is well-known for making radio listeners feel like they are actually at the games. 

His memorable calls of 'Touchdown Indiana!' have a become an emotional touchstone for Hoosier fans wherever they may be listening. 

We are pleased to honor him with the 2022 NFF Chris Schenkel Award in recognition of his distinguished career."

In 2020, Fischer was named the Indiana Sportscaster of the Year by the National Sports Media Association (NSMA) for the 27th time in his career. 

That marked the 31st time, between two organizations, that Fischer has been recognized as the state's top sportscaster.

In Fischer's 49-year tenure as Indiana University's football and men's basketball radio play-by-play man, he has won numerous awards for best play-by-play performance. 

He received the inaugural Woody Durham College Voice Award from the NSMA, the University of North Carolina and Learfield Sports in June of 2018.

IU has honored Fischer with the J.W. Bill Orwig Medal, that goes to non-alumni for distinguished service to the University, and the Bicentennial Medal, that is awarded to organizations and individuals who, through their personal, professional, artistic, or philanthropic efforts, have broadened the reach of Indiana University around the state, nation, and world. He also is an honorary "I" Man.

In October of 2010, Fischer was one of eight inductees into the Indiana Broadcast Pioneers Richard M. Fairbanks Hall of Fame. The Indiana Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association inducted Fischer into its Hall of Fame in 2004.

Fischer has broadcast over 2,000 games, including four NCAA basketball championship games and 12 bowl games. He hosts the weekly Coaches show for both football and basketball and a daily radio show, "IU Sports Today," which is syndicated throughout the state. Fischer also anchored the Indianapolis Colts preseason telecasts from 1995-2017.

Original source can be found here.