MIAC NEWS RELEASE ON TOM WITSCHEN
MIAC MIKE AUGUSTIN AWARD PAGE
T.J. BROADCAST SERVICES PAGE

MINNEAPOLIS -- Tom Witschen, the longtime play-by-play voice of Augsburg College sports on broadcasts and webcasts, will receive the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's Mike Augustin Award for his contributions to the MIAC, the conference has announced.

According to the conference website, the award is presented annually by the conference's sports information directors to a member of the media or a media relations staff member "to recognize outstanding contributions to MIAC athletic programs and their student-athletes." First given in the 1999-2000 school year, the award is named for the late Mike Augustin, a St. Paul Pioneer Press sportswriter who was a passionate advocate for small-college athletics. Augustin died in December 1997.

The award will be presented to Witschen during halftime of Saturday's (10/19) Augsburg's home football game against St. Olaf at 1 p.m. at Edor Nelson Field.

"I'm humbled to be thought of for this award," Witschen said in a MIAC press release on the award. "Working with Augsburg and the MIAC for all these years, I have found a home where my work is truly appreciated. I'm happy to a be a part of the Augsburg and MIAC family."

A broadcaster for nearly 40 years, Witschen has been the play-by-play voice of Augsburg sports since 1997, first on Twin Cities radio stations and now through the college's webcast program via Stretch Internet. Augsburg produces more than 130 video and audio sporting event webcasts each year in a variety of sports.

"Tom Witschen cares passionately about Augsburg College, its student-athletes and coaches. He bleeds maroon and gray," said Augsburg sports information director Don Stoner, who nominated Witschen for the honor at the conference's SID meeting in August. "He loves MIAC sports and the people who participate in them. I am so proud of his association with Augsburg College, and am more proud to call him a great friend."

Recipients of the MIAC's Mike Augustin Award in the past have included notable media figures such as Jay Osmundson of the Fargo (N.D.) Forum, John Roe and Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, and Gregg Wong and Bob Schabert of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Witschen will be the third play-by-play broadcaster to receive the award, joining Mike Morrissey (St. Olaf/Carleton) and Larry Knutson (Concordia-Moorhead). Witschen will be the first individual with a primary association with Augsburg to receive the award.

"Tom Witschen is an extremely deserving recipient of the Mike Augustin Award," said MIAC Assistant Executive Director Matt Higgins in the conference's press release. "His talents enhance broadcasts of both Auggie athletics in addition to other events around the MIAC. Tom's dedication to the conference, Augsburg College and the coaches and student-athletes is second-to-none, and we're excited to present him with this fitting tribute for his immense contributions."

In addition to his work with Augsburg, Witschen and his company, T.J. Broadcast Services, have also worked with St. Catherine University, the University of Minnesota, the Minnesota State High School League and numerous high schools in Minnesota and Wisconsin. During his 39-year career, Witschen has broadcast more than 4,000 games at the NCAA Division I, II and III and NAIA levels for 12 different conferences in three states.

Witschen was inducted into the Minnesota State High School Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 2007. He survived a bout with Hogdkin's disease in 2005, and has been cancer-free for nearly eight years.