CHARLOTTE, N.C. (FWAA) – The Charlotte Touchdown Club has announced ESPN Sportscaster Al Bernstein as this year’s Master of Ceremonies for the annual Bronko Nagurski Trophy Awards Banquet, to be held December 9, 2002, in Charlotte to honor the nation's best all-around defensive college football players as well as regional aspiring athletes.

Bernstein has been one of ESPN’s top personalities since 1981. In that time, Bernstein has served as host and analyst on the weekly ESPN boxing series, continues to cover all major boxing matches for SportsCenter, and wrote and hosted "Big Fights Boxing Hour," the award-winning series on ESPN Classic Network. Al also covers baseball, football and basketball for SportsCenter, and has done play-by-play for ESPN’s college basketball.

In addition to his television duties with ESPN, Al also does a daily radio show, "Al Bernstein's Sports Party," on ESPN 920 in Las Vegas. This fun-filled show offers insights, humor and information about the world of sports and entertainment. Al also serves as host or analyst on many major pay-per-view boxing telecasts. Over the years he has done over 50 major pay-per-view telecasts. In 1992 and 1996, he served as analyst on NBC's coverage of the Olympics, earning critical acclaim from sportswriters around the country.

"We are thrilled to have Al Bernstein come to Charlotte for our annual banquet," said Touchdown Club Executive Director John Rocco. "His impeccable reputation as a sportscaster the last twenty years coupled with his keen knowledge of the world of sports is the perfect match for the Charlotte Touchdown Club and the presentation of college football's most prestigious defensive award, The Bronko Nagurski Trophy.

The Charlotte Touchdown Club each year recognizes regional high school athletes with scholarships and awards and honors area collegiate football players, as well. The Bronko Nagurski Trophy, presented in conjunction with the Football Writers Association of America, is awarded to the top all-around defensive college football player in the country and has been presented since 1995. Last year's recipient, Roy Williams, was a University of Oklahoma safety and the Dallas Cowboys top draft pick this year.

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