• 2016 CoSIDA Special Awards general announcement/release
• Special Awards feature story schedule
by Shelly Poe, Auburn University Assistant Athletics Director of Media Relations
It’s obvious why Rece Davis of ESPN was selected as the 2016 Jake Wade Award winner by CoSIDA community.
“Rece Davis is truly one of the ‘good guys’ in sports broadcasting,” says Annabelle Myers of North Carolina State. “On and off the air, he is always the consummate professional but is also one of the most down-to-earth people in the industry. He treats those of us who work behind the scenes with the same respect as the head coaches and star student-athletes.”
“Rece genuinely cares about your coaches and athletes and is the perfect conduit to share their stories to the fans of intercollegiate athletics,” agrees Indiana’s J.D. Campbell.
“Rece is the consummate professional who is an absolute credit to the sports media industry,” adds Duke’s Jon Jackson. “There is no one more trustworthy. All of us truly admire his exceptional work.”
His work speaks for itself, but how did a youngster from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, become, as E.J. Borghetti of Pitt says, “the quintessential voice for college sports because he's just as passionate about the subject as his audience. He’s truly a man for all seasons."
The seasons on Davis’ childhood calendar were football, basketball and baseball season.
“I grew up like most kids in the state of Alabama, thinking I would be a college superstar and then play in the pros for a number of years in something,” Davis says.
“I loved anything Alabama football – I lived and died with the Crimson Tide – and I idolized the Alabama quarterbacks from those years - Terry Davis, Richard Todd, the Rutledge brothers. Oddly enough, my NFL guy was Archie Manning and my basketball idol was Julius Erving, so those were my pro teams. In baseball, I still am a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan.
“My dream was to be a pro athlete. Fortunately for me, even though that didn’t happen, things still worked out.”
And a sports career from the broadcaster’s booth was launched.
“I knew right off – I had to write a career paper in freshman English in high school and mine was about sports broadcasting,” Davis explained.
“Not only did I love the games, but I was always fascinated by the broadcasts and the broadcasters. I was one of those kids lying on the floor at night, spinning the dial to get a clearer radio signal, especially to pick up SEC games with legendary announcers like Larry Munson or Jim Hawthorne.
“I’ve always loved the college game, because of the passion and because there’s a real connection with the people who follow them," Davis continued. "Those programs are an important part of their lives because they went to school there, or someone from their town went there, or they have memories of going to games with parents or grandparents. They have a tangible, longstanding connection to that school that’s a little deeper than in pro sports.
“I love the pageantry of it and the loyalty. Occasionally, an athlete may transfer and play for a rival; it happens all the time in pro sports, but it rarely happens in college. You have a side and you tend to stay on that side.
“I’m not blind to the business end of it, but there’s still something cool about the people and opportunities of college sports that make it special. In the South, it’s in your DNA and it’s certainly who I am.”
College sports are who Davis is and what he loves.
“I love it,” said Davis. “It never gets old to me. I’ve never thought ‘Here we go again’ because every week, it’s a new show or game, with something unique to tell. Either something new will happen or there’s a story that hasn’t been told, or a new way to present it.
“I’ve had so many neat opportunities in this career to witness great events and amazing performances – things like broadcasting the pregame show from the first College Football Playoff game. It was a new chapter of history in the sport I hold dear and I was a witness.
“The drama is addictive in the way a season unfolds, where a matchup that two weeks before seemed inconsequential is now the focus of that sport. That keeps me energized and when you have a great team around you, you look forward to it. If all of us were in insurance or accountants, we’d probably be lousy because we would spend all our time talking about sports.”
Davis considers SIDs a part of his team.
“We couldn’t do it without them, nor do it nearly as well,” Davis said. “I’ve been fortunate during my career that so many of them have not only been professional colleagues, but friends that I trust. Giving us access, presenting their side – all of that makes our shows as good as they can be. Even with a last-minute idea, I know SIDs who have moved mountains and lobbied to get what we needed to tell that story to the public.
“They understand they have a job to deliver a message about their teams and schools, and they understand that our job is to tell those stories as completely and unbiased as possible. It’s great when we do that together.”
Alabama’s Jeff Purinton says, “Rece is one of the best in the television business, but what I appreciate most is the person he is when the camera isn’t on. Rece exemplifies professionalism and class, while also being an all-around good guy. You always look forward to working with him."
“Rece is one of my favorite broadcasters to work with. He’s always prepared and treats everyone with great respect,” echoes Gregg Ellis of Mississippi State. “He’s become the face of college football and basketball for ESPN, but he still finds time to speak to our students and offer career advice when he’s at Mississippi State. As good as he is as an announcer, he’s an even better person."
Nice to see a nice guy finish first for a change – congratulations, Rece!