x
Breaking News
More () »

'It's home for me': ESPN's Mike Golic talks to 3News about hosting 20th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards

Cleveland's premier annual sports fundraiser will take place on Wednesday night.

CLEVELAND — Mike Golic is back and better than ever.

On Wednesday night, the Willowick, Ohio, native-turned-ESPN Radio host will return to Northeast Ohio to host the 20th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards.

The 20th edition of the event, which serves as Cleveland's premier annual sports fundraiser, will take place at the Renaissance Cleveland Hotel Grand Ballroom in Downtown Cleveland on Wednesday night.

"It's home for me," Golic told 3News prior to the ceremony. "I love that fact that I control the night. This event goes for as long or as short as I say!"

A graduate of Cleveland's St. Joseph’s High School, Golic went on to star on the football field at Notre Dame before enjoying an eight-year NFL career that included time with the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins. His is best known, however for his career as a broadcaster, in which his voice has been a constant presence on national radio airwaves, beginning with the 2000 launch of ESPN's "Mike & Mike," which he co-hosted with Mike Greenberg.

Following an 18-year run with Greenberg that resulted in several awards, a New York Times Best Selling book and an induction into the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame, Golic began co-hosting a new show, "Golic and Wingo," alongside Trey Wingo and his son, Mike Golic Jr.

Credit: AP
Heads Up Football Advisory Committee Member Chris Golic and her husband Mike is seen at the New Britain Jr. Hurricanes Heads Up Football practice on the October 9, 2013 in New Britain, Connecticut. (Kike Calvo / AP Images for National Football League)Â

"I love how they bring in presenters who have a connection to Cleveland," Golic said when asked about his favorite part of the event. "I'm going to talk to them about their experiences in Cleveland...That's a great little twist to this."

A vocal Cleveland sports fan, Golic has often returned to Northeast Ohio for broadcasts from the sites of some of the city's most prominent games. On this day, he gave his thoughts on the Browns, who are going through yet another regime chance after a disappointing 6-10 season.

"I think Kevin Stefanski is going to help with that offense," Golic said of the team's new head coach. "While he's 37, he's been in the NFL for a while...He brought continuity [to the Minnesota Vikings], and that's something the Cleveland Browns could really, really use."

The Greater Cleveland Sports Awards will present the following honors Wednesday night:

Male High School Athlete of the Year presented by University Hospitals Sports Medicine

  • Tanyon Bajzer, Hockey, Gilmour Academy
  • Kyle Cusimano, Soccer, Bay Village High School
  • Chris Livingston, Basketball, Western Reserve Academy

Female High School Athlete of the Year presented by University Hospitals Sports Medicine

  • Kierstan Bell, Basketball, Canton McKinley High School
  • Kirsten Eppele, Softball, Strongsville High School
  • Paige Floriea, Track & Field, Mentor High School

Male Collegiate Athlete of the Year presented by H. Jack's Plumbing & Heating

  • Dominic Canzone, Baseball, The Ohio State University (Walsh Jesuit)
  • Danny Cody, Baseball, Baldwin Wallace University (Brecksville-Broadview Heights)
  • Jordin James, Wrestling, University of Mount Union (Bedford)

Female Collegiate Athlete of the Year presented by H. Jack's Plumbing & Heating

  • Olivia Bechtel, Track & Field, Miami University, (Bay Village)
  • Naz Hillmon, Basketball, University of Michigan (Gilmour Academy)
  • Emily Weigand, Volleyball, University of Akron (Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin)

Professional Athlete of the Year presented by FOX Sports Ohio

  • Nick Chubb, running back, Cleveland Browns
  • Stipe Miocic, UFC Heavyweight Champion, UFC
  • Roberto Perez, catcher, Cleveland Indians
  • Collin Sexton, guard, Cleveland Cavaliers

Cleveland Clinic Sports Health Courage Award - Skylar Scarnecchia

Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Cuyahoga Community College - The Dolan Family

Sports Development Gold Medalist Award - to be announced live at the show.

2019 Best Moment in Cleveland Sports presented by JACK Entertainment  - to be announced live at the show

WKYC.com will be live on scene all night providing a live stream with interviews of presenters and nominees throughout the night.

RELATED: Dolan family to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 20th Greater Cleveland Sports Awards

RELATED: Cleveland Browns WR Odell Beckham Jr. sends gifts, message to LSU players ahead of National Championship

RELATED: Cleveland Heights boxer Charles Conwell fights in honor of fallen opponent

Before You Leave, Check This Out