DALLAS (NCBWA) – Jim Ellis, one of the most legendary voices in college baseball who is in his 42nd year at Mississippi State, has been named the 45th recipient of the prestigious Wilbur Snypp Award, presented annually by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association for outstanding contributions to college baseball.

"I am truly honored to receive the Wilbur Snypp Award," Ellis said. "I am fortunate to have watched college baseball's golden years of growth. What a thrill it was to broadcast from dear old Rosenblatt my first season in 1979, and what an experience it was to broadcast from TD Ameritrade last year. When I compare the two experiences, it underscores the tremendous growth of college baseball in coaching, player development, administrative support, facilities, crowds and media coverage. I am humbled to think that I may have made some small contributions along the way."

Jim Ellis

Ellis, a native of West Point, Miss., and a 1969 graduate of Mississippi State, also assumed the play-by-play role for football and men's basketball at the start of the 2011-12 athletic season following the retirement of legendary voice Jack Cristil and served in that role for men's basketball until 2016-17 and football until the 2016 season. In addition to calling baseball, he had been serving as the weekly call-in show host for all three sports and hosting the weekly coaches' television shows. In 1998, 2002, 2013 and 2014, Ellis was named "Outstanding Broadcaster in Mississippi" by NSMA (National Sports Media Association) while representing Bulldog Sports Network and Learfield's Bulldog Sports Properties.

Since 1983, Ellis has been a part of MSU's basketball broadcast team, including the Bulldogs' memorable 1996 NCAA Final Four run. He became a radio analyst for MSU football in 1991 before taking over the play-by-play duties in 2011. Ellis was on the call for the memorable 2014 Bulldog football season that saw the program rise to the No. 1 ranking for the first time in the school's history.

"Jim has been an iconic voice in college baseball for over 40 years and is synonymous with Mississippi State," MSU Director of Athletics John Cohen said. "A true professional, he has had a front row seat to the greatest moments in Diamond Dawgs history. I would like to congratulate Jim on this incredible and well-deserved honor."

Ellis is the latest to join the ranks of Wilbur Snypp Award winners, national journalists and college administrators as the 2018 winner. The plaque memorializes longtime Ohio State sports information director and NCBWA founder, the late Wilbur (Bill) Snypp. Snypp was a noted contributor to the writers' organization, which was initiated in 1962, as well as an officer in the group. The NCBWA/Wilbur Snypp Award yearly honors a professional for contributions to the sport of college baseball. Voting is conducted by a panel of previous winners, who include past NCAA College World Series directors, College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame members, decorated media members, and others.

"Jim Ellis has had a major impact on college baseball broadcasting for parts of six decades," said NCBWA executive director Bo Carter, "and he is very deserving of this top honor from the NCBWA. Besides being the ‘voice' of Mississippi State baseball on radio since 1979, he has done so many great things to promote college athletics in general, and, particularly, college baseball from his historic place behind the microphone through MSU athletics and related areas."

Ellis is the latest to join the ranks of Wilbur Snypp Award winners, national journalists and college administrators as the 2019 winner. The honor memorializes longtime Ohio State sports information director and NCBWA founder, the late Wilbur (Bill) Snypp. Snypp was a noted contributor to the writers' organization, which was initiated in 1962, as well as an officer in the group. The Wilbur Snypp Award yearly honors a professional for contributions to the sport of college baseball. Voting is conducted by a panel of previous winners, who include past NCAA College World Series directors, College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame members, decorated media members, and others.