New York, December 22-- Pat Summerall has been selected by the membership of the American Sportscasters Association (ASA) as the 1999 Hall of Fame inductee, it was announced today by Louis O. Schwartz, President of the ASA.

"The ASA is delighted to honor Pat Summerall, a man whose character and integrity as a sports announcer for more than 40 years has been an inspiration for all aspiring sportscasters," stated Dick Enberg, Chairman of the ASA. "His play-by-play coverage along with John Madden epitomizes the highest level of talent in our profession."

Pat Summerall started his network coverage of the National Football League in 1962. His partnership with analyst John Madden began in 1981 and this season marks the pair's milestone 20th year together.

Summerall's career as an announcer began with CBS in 1961. In addition to football, he had been that network's signature voice for its golf coverage, including the Masters since 1968 and for the U.S. Open Tennis Championships since 1971. The 1994 Masters was Summerall's final event for CBS before moving to Fox.

In addition to his television duties, Summerall was Sports Director of WCBS Radio in New York City from 1964 to 1971. At the same time, he also served as host of the station's four-hour, six-days-a-week morning news program and worked for the CBS Radio Network. He signed a CBS Television Network contract in 1971.

Summerall was named ASA Sportscaster of the Year in 1994. That same year, he received the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Pete Rozelle Radio-Television Award. He was also given the JAKS Award as Tennis Broadcaster of the Year from the Association of Tennis Professionals in 1983.

ASA Hall of Famers are: Mel Allen, Red Barber, Jack Brickhouse, Jack Buck, Harry Caray, Howard Cosell, Don Dunphy, Marty Glickman, Curt Gowdy, Ernie Harwell, Chick Hearn, Ted Husing, Keith Jackson, Clem McCarthy, Jim McKay, Graham McNamee, Lindsey Nelson, Chris Schenkel, Ray Scott, Vin Scully, Bill Stern and Jack Whitaker.

The ASA Hall of Fame is located in the National Sports Gallery at the MCI Center in Washington, D.C.