FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

THAT’S A WINNER!
SOUTHEAST ANNOUNCES JACK BUCK SCHOLAR-LEADERSHIP AWARD

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo., Jan. 27, 2003 – Southeast Missouri State University has teamed up with KMOX Radio in the establishment of the Jack Buck Scholar-Leadership Award at Southeast Missouri State University.

The new award and the first scholarship to be established in memory of Buck, will recognize a student in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area who has demonstrated the potential for academic achievement, leadership and a commitment to their community. The award will cover incidental fees (tuition) and general fees for the equivalent of up to 32 credit hours per academic year at Southeast Missouri State University and residence hall fees for fall and spring semesters in a standard, double-occupancy room. The award also provides a 15 meal per week board plan.

The scholarship will be awarded for the first time this spring to a student planning to enter Southeast Missouri State for the fall 2003 semester.

Kenneth W. Dobbins, president of Southeast Missouri State University, said Southeast has partnered with KMOX Radio to offer this award as a result of its successful relationship with the radio station, KETC Channel 9 and McDonald’s Restaurants over the years in sponsoring the annual Student of Achievement Awards Luncheon in St. Louis.

“Jack always served as the master of ceremonies at this event because of his sincere interest in recognizing the significant accomplishments of young people in the St. Louis area who have excelled not only in their academic endeavors but in leadership and extra-curricular activities and in their service to the community,” Dobbins said. “He was a strong supporter of Southeast and a consummate professional who is sorely missed not only in the broadcast booth but by every resident in the metropolitan area and across the country who was touched by his commitment to excellence and to humanity.

“I’m sure if Jack were here today, he would be humbled to have the Jack Buck Scholar-Leadership Award named in his honor,” Dobbins added. “We are thrilled to partner with KMOX Radio to offer this scholarship to an outstanding St. Louis area student.”

Carole Buck, widow of Jack Buck, recently approved a proposal to establish the Jack Buck Scholar-Leadership Award.

To be eligible for the award, students must reside in the St. Louis Metro Area, including St. Louis County and City, St. Charles County, Franklin County, Jefferson County or the Metro East area in Illinois.

The award is renewable each year up to four consecutive years if the recipient maintains a 3.5 cumulative grade point average in courses taken at Southeast; completes a minimum of 30 credit hours per academic year, which may include the summer session, at Southeast; and demonstrates active participation in one or more student organizations.

KMOX Radio will conduct a “call for entries” for qualified candidates to submit their nomination for consideration. Applications will be available at each high school guidance office. In turn, high school counselors at each high school in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area will be invited to submit one application, with two letters of recommendation, for consideration for the award to the University. The deadline for applications is March 1.

A presentation to honor the award recipient will be held at an event in St. Louis later in the spring. A date has not yet been set.

All eligible nominees will receive a Southeast scholarship equivalent to full incidental fees renewable for four consecutive years.

Buck, Hall-of-Fame broadcaster for the St. Louis Cardinals who was employed by KMOX Radio for more than 40 years, passed away last June. Buck, who broadcast almost every professional sport at one time or another in his career, will be widely remembered as the Voice of the St. Louis Cardinals, the team for whom he broadcast games from 1954-2001, and as one of sports' greatest announcers. He also was considered one of St. Louis' greatest citizens, donating his time and helping to raise money for countless charities.

Buck's signature call -- "That's a winner!" -- after the final out of each Cardinals victory will be remembered fondly by countless Cardinals fans. He had several unforgettable calls for the Cardinals, including Lou Brock's 3,000th hit and record-breaking 938th steal, Bob Gibson's no-hitter and Mark McGwire's 61st home run. Perhaps his most famous call for the Cardinals was of Ozzie Smith's game-winning home run against the Dodgers in Game 5 of the 1985 NLCS. "Go crazy, folks! Go crazy!" he shouted. Another famous call came on CBS Radio during Game 1 of the 1988 World Series when a hobbled Kirk Gibson hit an improbable walk-off homer for the Dodgers off Oakland's Dennis Eckersley.

"Unbelievable!" Buck shouted as Gibson's homer cleared the right-field wall at Dodger Stadium. "The Dodgers have won the game on a home run by Kirk Gibson. I don't believe what I just saw!"

In 1987, Buck received the Ford C. Frick Award and became the 11th person enshrined in the broadcaster's wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Buck, who has been inducted into seven Hall of Fames and received numerous awards, said his induction into Cooperstown was the greatest award he ever received.

Buck is in the Radio Hall of Fame and Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, and he received a lifetime achievement Emmy in 2000. He was selected as St. Louis' Citizen of the Year in 2000 for his contributions to the community.

Students interested in applying for the Jack Buck Scholar-Leadership Award should contact their high school guidance counselor or call the Office of Admissions at Southeast Missouri State University at (573) 651-2590. Interested students also may visit http://www5.semo.edu/admissions/jackbuck.