ESPN’s Lee Corso – one of college football’s most knowledgeable, opinionated and entertaining analysts and a part of the two-time Emmy Award winning College GameDay Built by The Home Depot from its first year in 1987 – will be the recipient of National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA) 2010 Contributions to College Football Award. The award given annually by NCFAA, an association of all the major awards in college football, recognizes exceptional contributions to college football and a lifetime of achievement and integrity.

“I am humbled and honored to receive the NCFAA Contributions to College Football Award, especially following the previous recipients of the award,” said Corso. “I have enjoyed my involvement in college football – as a player, coach and analyst for the past 52 years. It has been an amazing ride.”

Corso will be the ninth recipient of the award with previous honorees including Darrell Royal, Keith Jackson, Vince Dooley, Tom Osborne, Chuck Neinas, Frank Broyles, Bobby Bowden and LaVell Edwards. The award will be presented to Corso Thursday, Dec. 9 as part of The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards on ESPN at 7 p.m. ET.

NCFAA President Danielle Moorman added, “We cannot think of a more deserving individual than Lee Corso for this award. As a player, coach and broadcaster, Lee is woven into the fabric of college football and his presence on College GameDay has helped the show become the most authoritative and comprehensive in college football.”

Corso joined ESPN in 1987 after 28 years as a coach at the college and professional levels, including 17 seasons as a head coach. While he is known for his opinions, analysis and daring predictions, Corso’s style of picking his winning team from the featured game by donning that team’s mascot head has become a fan favorite and the most anticipated moment of each show.

Corso was head coach at Louisville from 1969-72 and led the Cardinals to two Missouri Valley Conference titles and their second-ever bowl game, the 1970 Pasadena Bowl. He then moved to Indiana in 1973 where he spent 10 seasons as the head coach of the Hoosiers, leading the school to their first bowl victory in 75 years, a 38-37 decision over previously unbeaten Brigham Young in the 1979 Holiday Bowl. He coached Northern Illinois in 1984 before taking over the reins of the Orlando Renegades of the United States Football League (USFL) in 1985 for one season.  He began his coaching career as an assistant coach for 11 seasons (1958-68) at Florida State, Maryland and Navy. In addition, from January-July 1991, Corso served as General Manager of the World League's Orlando Thunder. 

Corso began his television career serving as an analyst on bowl games for Mizlou (1979-82) and USFL games for ABC (1983). He debuted on ESPN in 1987 as a game analyst, calling one season of Arena Football and two seasons of college football. Corso’s seasoned presence and insightful analysis on College GameDay have helped the show earn a huge following.  The in-season Saturday morning show won a Sports Emmy in 2009 and 2007 and received nominations in 2000 and 2003. In 2006, College GameDay received the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame’s Outstanding Contribution to Amateur Football Award.

A graduate of Florida State University, Corso earned a bachelor of arts degree in physical education and a master's degree in administration and supervision. Corso is director of business development for Dixon Ticonderoga, Heathrow, Fla., an international diversified manufacturer and marketer of writing and arts products.

About the National College Football Awards Association
The Ray Guy Award is a proud member of the National College Football Awards Association (NCFAA). The NCFAA was founded in 1997 as a coalition of the major collegiate football awards to protect, preserve and enhance the integrity, influence and prestige of college football’s predominant awards. The NCFAA encourages professionalism and the highest standards for the administration of its member awards and the selection of their candidates and recipients. For more information visit the association’s official website NCFAA.org. 

The Augusta Sports Council will award the 19th annual Greater Augusta Medals for Excellence in Sports (GAMES Awards) at our sports awards banquet on Tuesday May 11, 2010 at the Augusta Marriott Hotel & Suites in Downtown Augusta.

The ceremony will also feature special guest Cal Ripken, Jr.  Ripken is first and foremost known for his many achievements in baseball which span 21 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles.  Since being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2007, Ripken has gone on to add the title of author, philanthropist, and Chairman and CEO of Ripken Baseball Inc. to his name.

The GAMES Awards have been presented since 1992. The annual program was created to highlight the outstanding amateur athletes that represent a broad spectrum of sports disciplines in the CSRA. Awards are presented to high school athletes in the categories of All-Around Athlete, Outstanding Athlete, Rising Star and Outstanding Team.  Special recognition is also paid to outstanding high school coaches, in addition to club sport, collegiate and adaptive athletes.

The GAMES Awards banquet is open to the public.  Check-in and a social hour will open at 6:30 PM, with dinner and program beginning promptly at 7:30 PM.  Tickets are $45 for Sports Council members and $50 for non-members.  Tables of 8 are also available. Please call 706.722.8326 x 231 for reservations.