Sept. 30, 2009

Bob Ellis, the voice of UMass Lowell Hockey for the last 25 years, was named the 18th recipient of the Joe Concannon Hockey East Association Media Award, presented at the Hockey Easy Media Day Wednesday afternoon at the TD Garden.

The honor was among several highlights on the day for UMass Lowell, which was selected No. 2 in the Hockey East Preseason Coaches Poll, also announced Wednesday.

"It is a terrific honor," Ellis said. "When you've dedicated most of your adult life to doing something and trying to do it well, an award such as this is one that I will cherish. I always said in life that I wanted a job that didn't feel like work. But I've never worked harder at anything.

"I don't look at this award being about me, I look at it about the work I've done," he added.

Ellis has received numerous honors throughout his career, including the 2005-06 Marc Connelly Award, presented by members of the UMass Lowell hockey team to the outstanding individual who makes a positive impact on the program.

He was also the recipient of the 1984 Tom Phillips Award from United Press International (UPI) for his live coverage of the 1984 race riots in Lawrence for WLLH Radio.

In addition to calling UMass Lowell hockey games, Ellis serves as a media relations specialist in the Department of Athletics where he produces audio and video features for www.goriverhawks.com, the official website of River Hawk Athletics. He also serves as a staff writer and photographer.

Outside of his work within the University, Ellis is one of the official scorers for the Boston Red Sox; and was the play-by-play announcer for the Lowell Spinners, the Sox Class A affiliate, for nine years.

A native of The Bronx, Ellis is a 1975 graduate of Emerson College. He resides in Lowell, MA.

The Joe Concannon Award is named after the late, long-time Boston Globe sportswriter, who passed away in 2000.