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Frisk honored for a career of service

Bob Frisk has watched and covered countless games in Prospect's Jean Walker Field House throughout his career and retirement from the Daily Herald.

His eyes have seen thousands of athletes compete over the years in high school sporting events.

On Friday night, all eyes were on Frisk at the Jean Walker Field House.

The legendary Frisk, former assistant sports/managing editor for the Daily Herald, took the court in between the varsity boys and girls basketball games between Hersey and Prospect.

Prospect public announcer John Hardey introduced Frisk to the crowd as one of the inaugural recipients of the IHSA's Distinguished Media Service Award.

“Watching high school sports is the greatest thing in the world,” said Frisk, who originally learned of the honor from IHSA Assistant Executive Director Matt Troha. “When Matt told me about this award, it stunned me. I thought I had ridden off into the sunset when I retired in 2008. This really caught me off guard, and I truly appreciate it.”

The Distinguished Media Service Award was created based on a recommendation from the IHSA Media Advisory Committee and seeks to recognize media members who have covered high school sports and activities in Illinois for a significant period of time, while maintaining perspective on the amateur events they report on.

“Even today, when you hear Bob's words, you can sense his passion for high school sports,” said Hersey girls basketball coach Mary Fendley, who was wearing a red sweater in honor of Frisk's alma mater, Arlington High School. “He pains such a perfect picture of what it was like when he was in high school, and I can see that same exciting high school atmosphere today.”

Prospect coach Ashley Sandstead fondly remembers when she was a high school athlete, reading Frisk's column.

“I couldn't wait to wake up in the morning and read about any of the high school athletes he was writing about,” she said. “He really made the game come alive through his words. Since taking the job at Prospect, I've gotten to know him a lot better, and he's a good friend of the family. I can honestly say, as good as a reporter as he is, he's an even better guy.”

  Sports writer Bob Frisk thanks the crowd at Prospect High School for their support Friday in the Jean Walker Field House. He is among the first recipients to of the IHSA’s Distinguished Media Service Award. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Sports writer Bob Frisk thanks the crowd at Prospect High School for their support during Friday’s presentation of the IHSA’s Distinguished Media Service Award. Joining him is Prospect girls girls basketball coach Ashley Graham. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Sports writer Bob Frisk stands with his daughter, Susan Alesia of Madison, Wis., while thanking the crowd at Prospect High School for their support. Frisk is among the first recipients of IHSA’s Distinguished Media Service Award and was presented with his award between the varsity boys and girls basketball games between Hersey and Prospect. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
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