NFF Chris Schenkel Award Recipients
Biography
Leo W. “Jack” Fleming will be remembered for more than calling the “Immaculate Reception” in the 1972 playoff matchup between the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Oakland Raiders. Fleming was also known as the “Voice of the Mountaineers” He covered West Virginia football and basketball games from 1947-1959, 1962-1969 and 1974-1996. Fleming also called Steelers games from 1965-1993 and Chicago Bulls games from 1970-1973 and 1978-1979. Fleming called College Football Hall of Famers Bruce Bosley, Major Harris, Sam Huff and Darryl Talley, as well as Hall of Fame coaches Bobby Bowden, Frank Ciguetti and Don Nehlen.
He was a United States Air Force navigator in World War II, and after flying 23 combat missions, began his radio career while recovering at Ashford Military Hospital. Fleming broadcast four Super Bowls, seven AFC Championship games and an NBA All-Star Game during his professional announcing tenure.
Fleming was a seven-time recipient of the West Virginia Sportscaster of the Year award, and also received the 1996 Gene Morehouse Award from the West Virginia Sports Writers Association. He was inducted into West Virginia University’s Order of Vandalia in 1995 and the West Virginia University Sports Hall of Fame in 2001. Fleming passed away in January 2001 at the age of 76.
