PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) -
The Portland Trail Blazers' broadcasting pioneer Bill Schonely is adding another award to his distinctive career. "The Schonz" was chosen by his peers in the Oregon Association of Broadcasters as this year's recipient of the Tom McCall Award. The award honors groups or people who stand out in their service to the state of Oregon.
Schonely became the Blazers' first play-by-play announcer in 1970 and called more than 2,500 games all the way through the 1998 NBA playoffs. Schonely coined the phrase "Rip City" during a game against the L.A. Lakers in 1970, and it has been a constant of Portland's basketball legacy ever since.
Schonely was also awarded the 2012 Curt Gowdy Media Award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Previous recipients of the Tom McCall Award include Sen. Mark Hatfield, James DePreist, Phil Knight and Les Schwab.
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