Paul Kennedy Given Howard Palmer Award at 2014 Member Celebration
Long-time local sports television personality Paul Kennedy was honored with the Howard Palmer Award, the FCSports’ highest service honor, at the 2014 Member Celebration.
Kennedy becomes the 25th recipient of the award, presented during the annual Florida Citrus Sports Member Celebration held this year at Full Sail University’s ‘Full Sail Live’ venue. The Member Celebration, presented by BMO Harris Bank and Florida Hospital, signifies the beginning of the 2014-15 Florida Citrus Sports (FCSports) season with the induction of new leadership and presentation of member awards to those who have dedicated time and effort to the organization. The highest honor of the night went to Kennedy, a sportscaster for over 25 years in Florida.
“Paul is an icon among Central Florida broadcasters and over 18 years I continue to be amazed at how he puts everything and everyone else around him first,” said Hogan. “He is universally-accepted as one of the nicest people in the business and from hosting national parade broadcasts to local membership events, I can’t thank him enough for all he has done to help Florida Citrus Sports pursue its mission over the years.”
The prestigious Howard Palmer Award is a tribute to the FCSports member who continually strives to make significant contributions to the organization and its efforts without regard for personal recognition. Presented since the 1989-90 season, the annual award recognizes a “lifetime” of service to FCSports. Past honorees include such Orlando notables as Bill Dymond, Harvey Massey and last year’s honoree, Charlie Miller.
A graduate of Virginia Tech, Kennedy has given countless hours to Florida Citrus Sports in helping with events such as Member Celebrations, speaker series and press events, and has done so despite a near constant work schedule. Kennedy holds the distinction of joining the broadcast teams of both the Orlando Magic and the Tampa Bay Lightning in their respective inaugural seasons, and has continued with both teams over the years while also calling college football games for the Florida Gators, Florida State Seminoles, NFL Europe and FOX Sports NFL games. In 2000, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA) named Kennedy “Florida Sportscaster of the Year” for his efforts.