Jack Michaels KFGO/KNFL
He serves as the play-by-play announcer for the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks, bringing fans inside every pitch, swing, and summer-night rally at Newman Outdoor Field. His vivid storytelling and rapport with listeners have made him one of the most trusted voices in independent league baseball.
In the fall, Michaels shifts seamlessly into the college arena as he leads radio coverage for University of North Dakota football, capturing every big hit, clutch drive, and Missouri Valley Football Conference showdown. Come winter, he transitions to the hardwood as the voice of UND Fighting Hawks women’s basketball, chronicling the rise of a program that has earned increasing attention across the region.
Michaels mixes in frequent high school football, basketball, volleyball and special events such as “Little League Night In America”
He’s known for his preparation, passion, and an ability to make every game—whether a playoff battle or a midweek matchup—feel meaningful to listeners.
The final ballot will be emailed to NSMA members on December 1, with voting continuing through December 31.
Winners will be notified during the first week of January.
Awards are scheduled to be presented during the NSMA’s 66th Awards Weekend & National Convention, June 28-29, 2026, at Grandover Resort & Spa – a Wyndham Grand hotel – in Greensboro, N.C.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (November 25, 2025) – More than 500 sports media practitioners are finalists for 2025 National Sports Media Association state awards, while 20 others are finalists for the 2025 NSMA national awards, and 40 all-time greats are finalists for the 2026 NSMA Hall of Fame class. The results are from month-long nomination balloting by NSMA members.
There are three previous winners among the National Sportscaster of the Year finalists –NBC’s Mike Tirico, CBS’s Kevin Harlan, and ESPN’s Scott Van Pelt. Tirico was inducted into the NSMA Hall of Fame in 2024.
Among the National Sportswriter of the Year finalists, ESPN’s Jeff Passan and Pete Thamel, along with SI’s Tom Verducci are all previous winners. Verducci is also enshrined in the NSMA Hall of Fame, along with fellow National Sportswriter of the Year finalist Jayson Stark of The Athletic.
Hall of Fame Sportswriter finalists include three former National Sportswriters of the Year: Adrian Wojnarowski (ESPN.com), Joe Posnanski (JoeBlogs), and Ken Rosenthal (The Athletic).
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