AMM talks with Sportscaster and Philanthropist Bob Costas

Bob Costas – 28 time Emmy award winner has been recognized with awards and nominations in the categories of hosting, play-by-play, writing, journalism, news, and entertainment. He is the only broadcaster in television history to win Emmy’s for news, sports and entertainment.

Bob has been named the “National Sportscaster of the Year” a record eight times. He is a member of the broadcaster’s wing of the Baseball Hall of Fame, and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. Among his many honors, Bob was also selected for the Walter Cronkite Award for distinction in journalism.

Bob hosted a dozen Olympics for NBC. He was also part of the coverage of eight Super Bowls, seven World Series, ten NBC Finals, and seventeen Kentucky Derby’s.

Over the past four decades, Bob’s work, both in and out of sports for NBC, HBO, and the Major League Baseball Network, have one widespread praise. He is often been referred to as his generations most respected sports broadcaster.

Bob grew up on Long Island. He attended Syracuse University. His professional began KMOX radio in St. Louis in 1974. He began his network career with NBC in 1980.

AMM: How did you first become affiliated with Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital?

Bob Costas: A prominent St. Louis Attorney, Allen Allred, who was affiliated with the hospital came to me in the late 1980’s and said: “we know you help out several charities around town, but we’d like Cardinal Glennon to be the one you are involved with on a consistent basis.” From there we put together an annual event without the usual dais and speeches. We went to the old Fox Theatre in St. Louis, a great venue that seats upwards of 4000, and every year we presented a show (Billy Crystal and Sheryl Crow, Martin Short and Diana Ross, Seinfeld, Leno, Conan, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, John Mellencamp Tony Bennett, etc.) The kind of show people would want to attend, even if there wasn’t a great cause involved. So.. every year it was a special event, and in the process we raised a whole lot of money for the hospital.

AMM: Why is philanthropy important to you?

BC: I’ve always felt that celebrity, especially in modern America, is an empty value. But if you have some sort of recognition, and perhaps appreciation for what you have done, then you have an opportunity to pay it forward. It’s an opportunity I hope I’ve made good use of.

AMM: Which sporting event are you most proud to have commentated covered and why?

BC: Over the years I hosted a dozen Olympics. I guess that’s what people most often associate me with. But I’m also very proud of the World Series and NBA Finals I was part of since baseball and basketball are my favorite sports.

AMM: What is your favorite question to ask your interviewees? What was your favorite interview?

BC: It completely depends on who they are and what the topics are at hand. I don’t have any one formula or approach, other than to be well prepared, but at the same time listen closely enough so that if something unexpected comes up, I can ditch whatever loose plan I might have had and react spontaneously.

To learn more about Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, please visit: www.glennon.org