Sports enthusiast is given his props

Promoter, sports media and radio personality David Bazzel (“the Baz”) was honored with World Services for the Blind’s 2018 Vision Award at a luncheon Oct. 10 in the Robinson Center Ballroom. The event benefits the agency, which offers services to promote independence for the blind or visually impaired.

Violinist Everett Elam provided pre-luncheon music. Guests enjoyed Cobb salads and desserts as Chris Kane of KATV steered the program, which included a welcome and remarks and acknowledgments by Ron Copeland, chairman of the World Services for the Blind Foundation, and remarks by Sharon Giovinazzo, president and chief executive officer of World Services. Client Lucca Garcia gave an inspiring testimony about overcoming visual limitations brought on by Wyburn-Mason syndrome to excel academically and athletically.

Bazzel’s radio co-hosts, Tommy Smith, R.J. Hawk and Roger Scott, gave tributes (with a bit of gentle ribbing) to Bazzel before presenting him with his award. Bazzel, in turn, lauded his co-hosts, acknowledged other associates and mentioned how he’s more comfortable giving honors than receiving them. “But because this is the World Services for the Blind, I said ‘I’m in,’” he told the audience.

Bazzel, a native of the recently hurricane-devastated Panama City, Fla., is a former Razorbacks football team captain and Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame inductee and co-hosts

The Show With No Name on KABZ-FM. In addition to numerous volunteer activities, he created the Broyles Award, which honors the nation’s top college assistant football coach and benefits the Broyles Foundation, which supports Alzheimer’s patients and their caregivers; and the Golden Boot trophy for the Arkansas-Louisiana State football games. Bazzel is also the founder of the Little Rock Touchdown Club and creator of a number of club-associated sports awards.

Honoree David Bazzel (center) with R.J. Hawk, Roger Scott, Wally Hall and Tommy Smith

Larry Walton with his wife, Brenda Scisson; Susie and Cleve Jones; and Betsy Dietz

Stan Luczkowski with his wife, Katy Hill, and Nancy and Ed Smith, all of Hot Springs Village

Program speaker Lucca Garcia with Zane Lovelady, Trang Ha and Skylyn Jones

Carolyn Bazzel, mother of the honoree, with Jeff Hildebrand and Betsy Arnold of Fayetteville

Sharon Giovinazzo, president and chief executive officer of World Services for the Blind, with Ron Copeland, chairman of the World Services for the Blind Foundation, and service dog Watson

Past honoree Sharon Priest with Mel Jones

Doris Pettis and Tricia Sproles