Pirates Photographer Steve Smith to Receive Distinguished Service Award
4/3/2009 12:00:00 AM | Men's Basketball
Seton Hall sports photographer Steve Smith was selected to receive the 2009 Distinguished Service Award from the Met Basketball Writers Association.
Also receiving the award is former St. Peter’s women’s basketball coach Mike Granelli.
The presentations will be made Wednesday evening,
The Distinguished Service Awards are presented by the Met Basketball Writers to individuals who have made significant contributions to college basketball.
For nearly 30 years, photographer Steve Smith has chronicled Metropolitan basketball through his lens. As official photographer for the NIT as well as tournament photographer for several conferences in the area, he has been a part of the fabric of college athletics, as well as professional athletics. He followed Seton Hall’s march to the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship game and has shot covers for Street & Smith’s Basketball Yearbook. From NCAA Division I to Division III, he has compiled a portfolio which rivals any sports photographer in the world.
Along the way, he has become a strong ally for experienced sports information directors as well as a big brother and advisor to a new generation of media professionals. From the darkroom to the digital era, his crisp action shots have captured All-Americans as well as the player at the end of the bench with the eye of an artist.
Smith has been Seton Hall’s primary photographer for all 17 of its athletic programs since the mid-1980s. Last year, he was awarded the school’s prestigious O. Lawrence Keefe Award, which is presented annually to a dedicated member of the media who well-represents Seton Hall.
Previous recipients of the MBWA Distinguished Service Award: Chris Monasch, Larry Schiner, Tom Lopes, 2007; Nick Macarchuk, Dianne Nolan, 2006; Ray Amalbert, Cal Ramsey, 2005; Bill Stein, 2004; Edgar Cartotto, Mickey Crowley, Brad Tracy, 2003; Richie Regan, Jim Lennon, 2002; Carol Blazejowski, Burt Beagle, 2001; Lou Rossini, John “Doc” Johnson, J.B. Buono, 2000; Rich Ensor, Bill Steinman, 1999; Mike Tranghese, 1998; Bernie Beglane, Bob Mulcahy, 1997; Pete Carril, Paul Munick, Jack Powers, 1996; Bob Gesslein, Jack Kaiser, Paul Lizzo, Dan Quilty, 1995; Ralph Arietta, Butch van Breda Kolff, 1994.
