September 30, 2019 — Bob Kennedy, whose tenure in the Stamford Advocate sports department spanned over 40 years in many capacities, has been named the 2019 Bill Gonillo Local Sports Media Award winner. Kennedy will be honored at the Fairfield County Sports Commission’s 15th Anniversary Sports Night dinner Monday, Oct 21, at the Stamford Marriott at 6 p.m.
When News 12 Sports Director Bill Gonillo passed away suddenly at the age of 44 in September 2007, the Fairfield County sports community lost one of its greatest treasures. To recognize the outstanding job he did for 12 years at News 12, the Commission created an annual award in Gonillo’s name. The award honors members of the media that emulate Bill’s passion for local sports, and provide a supportive voice for the sports community in the county.
Kennedy joined The Advocate as a sports reporter in 1964 and spent six years in that role before leaving to pursue business interests in 1970. He returned to his journalism career in 1975 when he was named Sports Editor. He remained in that position for the next 31 years before retiring in 2006. During that time he was the longest-serving sports editor in the metro New York area.
Following his retirement he continued to file stories and columns on Stamford and Fairfield County sports history as a special correspondent for another 10 years. Bob was one of the original voters for the Fairfield County Sports Hall of Fame’s Jackie Robinson Professional Wing and continued in that capacity up until this year. The Hall’s J. Walter Kennedy Community Service Wing is named for Bob’s father, and he presented the awards on stage each year.
The award is co-sponsored by Fairfield University and Sacred Heart University.
Tickets for Sports Night can be purchased by contacting Tom Chiappetta at 203-984-4806 or at tomchip21@aol.com.