“This might be a gift certificate for golf,” thought Terry Braverman (’60, Communication Arts and Sciences) as he unrolled the scroll of paper his wife and family presented on his 75th birthday. But, it was something a lot bigger and longer lasting.
Terry’s family had created the Terry Braverman Excellence in Sports Broadcasting Scholarship to honor his distinguished career.
“This was a wonderful opportunity to perpetuate his legacy,” says Gail Braverman (’83, Social Science), Terry’s wife, who created the scholarship endowment with an IRA rollover gift to MSU.
Terry’s professional life included public and commercial radio and television sports broadcasting nationwide, with stops in Traverse City, Nebraska, Indiana and Hawaii, and 38 years at MSU. He hosted countless radio and television coaches’ shows, co hosting a weekly live sports news and interview show on WKAR-TV, as well as daily radio newscasts of varsity athletic news. He was often the voice of MSU as he served as the play-by-play announcer for men’s basketball, hockey and football, including several NCAA national championship games.
His diverse accomplishments also included serving as MSU’s Director of Athletic Fundraising (1974-2002), creating and hosting children’s television shows and taking the stage with local community theater groups. He still serves as the public address voice for the Detroit Lions as well as Spartan football and men’s basketball.
The new scholarship will support meritorious sports broadcasting students in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences. The assistance will enable the recipients to gain on-air experience through internships or other career-related activities, as Terry did during his MSU student days as a Radio-TV major from 1956-60.
Terry says the scholarship is the best gift he could have received.
“It will be enabling students who are the brightest and the best and who are going to have an impact in an exciting profession. It will bring my life almost full circle.”
To make a gift to the Terry Braverman scholarship, contact Director of Development for the College of Communication Arts and Sciences Meredith Jagutis at (517) 432-5672; jagutism@msu.edu.