This is a press release from the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association:

CONTACT: PSWA President Sam Carchidi

215-313-3315

RELEASE DATE: IMMEDIATELY

NOMINEES NEEDED FOR BILL CAMPBELL, STAN HOCHMAN AWARDS;  PSWA BANQUET TICKETS AVAILABLE

Two of the most iconic figures in the history of Philadelphia sports media _ broadcaster Bill Campbell and columnist Stan Hochman _ will again be honored with awards named in their memory at the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association's Feb. 3 banquet at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill.

 “If something important happened in Philadelphia sports during most of our lifetimes, there’s a good chance Bill and Stan were there to cover the event,” said Sam Carchidi, PSWA president. “For a Philadelphia sports journalist, I can’t think of a more prestigious local honor.”

The PSWA is accepting nominees for the second annual awards.  Writing entries should be submitted to Rob Parent at parentr1@hotmail.com, and broadcast entries can be sent to Carchidi atscarchidi@phillynews.com.

This is the second year the awards have been presented. Eagles announcer Merrrill Reese won the Bill Campbell Broadcast Award last year, while The Inquirer's Mike Sielski won the Stan Hochman Writing Award.

The Hochman award is given to the best-written sports story in the calendar year, whether in a newspaper, magazine, book, or online.

The Campbell award is presented for excellence in broadcasting; local sportscasters, talk-show hosts, and radio/TV reporters or commentators are eligible.

Campbell, whose remarkable career touched parts of nine decades, was a broadcaster for the Eagles, Philles, and  Warriors/76ers and also a sports talk-show host. A member of the Basketball Hall of Fame, he died in 2014 at 91.

Hochman, known for his distinctive writing style and his incomparable interview ability, was an award-winning sports columnist for the Daily News for 55 years before his death in 2015.

Numerous Flyers captains from their history will be at the PSWA banquet, celebrating the franchise's 50th anniversary. Several other local pro athletes and teams will be honored, and it will be a night to salute Villanova's national men's basketball championship.

Tickets are available at phillysportswriters.com.