By Kelline Linton, Chief Copy Editor
Lance Barrow, a 10-time Emmy award-winning producer and 1977 graduate of ACU, was named the 2008 Outstanding Alumnus of the Year by the Alumni Association.
“This award is based on the professional and personal contributions to a person’s work, civic responsibilities and church involvement,” said Jama Cadle, alumni events coordinator.
The award is the highest honor annually given by ACU, and recipients are chosen by the Alumni Advisory Board based on nominations from students, faculty, staff and friends of the university.
Dr. Jeff Duncum, past president of the Alumni Advisory Board and friend of Barrow, said in an ACU press release, “Lance epitomizes the Outstanding Alumnus of the Year. He has been very active in his church, has maintained great involvement at ACU and has become a pillar in the world of televised sports.”
Barrow is the lead game producer for CBS Sports and works as the coordinating producer of the NFL.
Jared Mosley, ACU director of athletics, said Barrow always tries to brag about ACU when he is broadcasting.
“He frequently is putting in plugs about the university,” Mosley said. “He is always thinking of ways to help ACU.”
Mosley, who has met Barrow on several occasions, said he unquestionably deserves the alumnus award.
“Lance has demonstrated love and passion to us over the years,” Mosley said. “He is one of the more active alums we have and is certainly deserving of this recognition.”
Barrow is keenly involved with his alma mater. He serves on the ACU Board of Trustees, and when he visits Abilene, he always stops by the Athletics Department to encourage the coaches.
While at ACU, Barrow played football and baseball and served as the sports director at KACU-FM. During the summers, he worked as a spotter during ABC broadcasts or as a caddy at several PGA tournaments.
After graduating, Barrow joined CBS Sports in 1982 as a broadcast associate. He was promoted to associate producer three years later before becoming producer in 1994. In 2001 and 2004, Barrow was the replay director for CBS Sports’ coverage of Super Bowl XXXV and Super Bowl XXXVIII. In 2007, he worked as coordinating producer and lead producer during CBS Sports’ Super Bowl XLI broadcast.
Besides producing football and golf on CBS Sports, Barrow earned several Emmy Awards for producing the Daytona 500, the NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship and numerous NFL games.
Mosley said Barrow is an outstanding example of what a student can do with an ACU degree.
“Lance is a champion for the education students receive here,” he said.
Barrow will accept the Outstanding Alumnus Award at The Alumni Day Luncheon on Feb. 22 in the Gary and Sylvia McCaleb Conference Center in the Hunter Welcome Center. Tickets are $20 per person or $200 for a table of eight and can be purchased by calling 800-373-4220 or visiting www.acu.edu/alumnirsvp. Students are welcome to attend.
