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.
"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.