WPIX’s Irv Gikofsky, WSYR’s Dan Cummings And Three Others To Join N.Y. State Broadcasters’ Hall Of Fame

The New York State Broadcasters Association, Inc., announces the addition of five new inductees into the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place at the group’s annual luncheon in the Rainbow Room, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City on Oct. 26.

David Donovan, president of the New York State Broadcasters Association, said: “The Hall of Fame Class of 2023 represents the finest in our broadcasters in New York. Each inductee represents a lifetime of achievement serving their profession, community and our nation. We are honored to have them join the Hall of Fame.”

Entering the New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2023 will be:

Irv Gikofsky – WPIX-TV New York

Irv Gikofsky, also known as Mr. G, delivered forecasts on New York television for almost 40 years. New York’s most popular TV weatherman, Mr. G, began his career as a schoolteacher at Albert Einstein Intermediate School in the Bronx. As a teacher, he created the New York City school system’s first computerized weather program for use by children and their teachers. After teaching in public school for a decade, Mr. G was recruited right out of the classroom to become a TV weatherman at New York’s WCBS-TV in 1977.

Mr. G joined WPIX as the weekday weatherman in September 1993, where he has won six Emmy Awards and an Edward R. Murrow Award. In 2008, Mike Wallace presented the Friar’s Club Lifetime Achievement Award to Mr. G. He also received the Estabrook Award as an outstanding Hofstra Alumnus. He was honored with a “Mr. G Day” proclamation for his work with kids. During his tenure at WPIX, the News at 10 was named Best Newscast by numerous outlets, including the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association and the New York Press Club. Outside of the newsroom, he participated in 34 New York City Marathons.

During his 44-year career, Mr. G guided New Yorkers through hurricanes, snowstorms, heatwaves, arctic air, and more.  In that journey, citizens of the Big Apple trusted him to be clear, likable, and informative. That relationship has a unique special quality of a New Yorker speaking to New Yorkers. Never forgetting his beginnings as a schoolteacher, “Mr. G” visited more than 500 schools during his outstanding career.

Dan Cummings — WSYR-TV Syracuse

After a 45-year career in broadcast news, Dan Cummings retired from ABC affiliate WSYR in 2021. In his 37 years at NewsChannel 9, he anchored and reported for every major newscast and hosted the station’s weekly public affairs programs Central Issues and Newsmakers. He is a two-time Emmy award-winner for his work on Veterans Voices, a special program paying tribute to those who’ve served our country.

In 2013, he was honored with a regional Edward R. Murrow award for Best News Documentary for Saints Among Us, which told the stories of newly canonized Saints Marianne Cope and Kateri Tekakwitha. He was twice recognized by the New York State Broadcasters Association for Best Documentary for his coverage of Honor Flight Syracuse missions to Washington. Cummings has twice been honored with the Syracuse Press Club’s Professional Standards Award, and in 2018 was named to the Press Club’s Wall of Distinction. Before launching his TV career, Cummings anchored and reported radio news at WHEN Syracuse, WTKO and WHCU Ithaca and WNYR Rochester.

During his entire career at NewsChannel 9, Cummings has been actively involved in the Central NY community. He served on several boards and hosted fundraisers for nonprofits including the Syracuse Rescue Mission, Samaritan Center, Elmcrest Children’s Center, InterFaith Works, Catholic Charities, Francis House, Bishop Grimes Junior-Senior High School, the City-County Drug and Alcohol Abuse Commission, the Everson Museum and Hope for Bereaved.  In retirement, he joined the board of Honor Flight Syracuse. Cummings also continues to host a monthly interview program on WCNY-FM, CNY Heroes, dealing with veteran’s issues.

Cummings was born and raised in southern Cayuga County. He holds a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Geneseo, a master’s degree from Cornell University, and honorary degrees from LeMoyne College and Onondaga Community College.

Angie Martinez — WWPR-FM New York City

Angie Martinez’s name has become synonymous with the word New York, by turning a misspent youth into being crowned “The Voice of New York”.

This multi-hyphenated powerhouse proudly managed to represent her culture in every category; from radio DJ for three-decades with her eponymous show that captured her a coveted NAB Marconi Radio Award and inducted her into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2020, to a performing artist garnering a Grammy nomination and BET nomination for her power female anthems, to then stepping in front of the camera to star in cult classic, Brown Sugar.

Her appetite was far from being sated, so Martinez penned her voice and became the author of a New York Times Best Seller.

Martinez produces and hosts the NAACP-nominated IRL Podcast.  Upon her first anniversary of the IRL Podcast, she has established In Real Life Productions; a self-funded production company and the amalgamation of the IRL Brand. In Real Life Productions was launched by executive producing ABC’s Hip Hop @ 50 special and being a lead producer for 2023’s Essence Festival. This inimitable force is living her golden age by gilding her place in history with a Hollywood Star. Martinez will be cemented in the Class of 2024’s Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In her spare time, Martinez took her voice to the streets and ran the 2014 New York Marathon and raised $250,000 for CC Sabathia’s, PitCChIn Foundation, which improves the lives of inner-city youth. Continuing her advocacy for healthy living, she co-authored a cookbook with Bravo TV’s Top Chef Star Angelo Sosa called Healthy Latin Eating, which included recipes from fellow celebrity friends – Fat Joe, Celia Cruz, John Leguizamo, and many more.

Craig Stevens Harris – WCDO-AM-FM Sidney

Harris’ career literally defines small market radio. His commitment to the local communities that WCDO serves is a true testament to the way radio was meant to be. Originally from Nyack, N.Y., Harris began his radio journey by doing morning announcements and sports scores over the high school PA system. He attended SUNY Geneseo where he earned a BA in communications and public relations (1980-84) and served as station manager of campus radio station WGSU-FM his senior year. Craig landed his first radio job at WDNY in Dansville, N.Y., just two weeks after graduation and one month later was hired as a weekend DJ at WPXY-FM Rochester.

In 1986, at the age of 23, he accepted a station manager position at WCDO-AM-FM Sidney, N.Y., where he has remained for 37 years. harris has become a mainstay on the air and in the community, as well as attaining station ownership. He has served on many local boards and organizations, coached youth sports for eight years, and in 2019 was inducted into the Canoe Regatta Hall of Fame as a contributor.

Under his leadership, WCDO has earned five NYSBA awards, an NYSBA “serving N.Y.” award, Sidney Chamber Of Commerce “Business of the Year” award, a N.Y. State Assembly “Commitment to Community” Citation, and outstanding media support honors from numerous organizations including the American Cancer Society “Relay For Life,” the Southern Tier Chapter of the American Red Cross, Chenango Toys For Tots, and Catholic Charities.

To say Craig has worn many hats is an understatement.  From coordinating 15-person coverage of a 70-mile canoe marathon and reporting from a fire rescue boat in flood waters to introducing comedian Ray Romano in Binghamton and discussing game one of the Mets/Yankees World Series with former President Bill Clinton, Craig has done it all.

Bob Matthews — WHAM-AM Rochester

For over 35 years, Bob Matthews has held the title of Rochester’s most popular sportswriter/commentator. He has been a newspaper sports columnist and a regular contributor to the Gannett News Service, where he served as two national sports columnists. Matthews is the only person to be selected as the Press-Radio Club’s Sportswriter of the Year (five times) and Sportscaster of the Year (3 times).  He was also a pioneer inductee into Rochester’s Frontier Field Walk of Fame.  He was the key media crusader for building a new stadium, which kept the Rochester Redwings baseball team in Rochester. He is a member of the Rochester Redwings Hall of Fame.

A Rochester native, Matthews graduated from Brighton High School where he played varsity baseball, basketball and served as student council Vice President. He is also a veteran, having served the country in Vietnam.

The New York State Broadcasters Hall of Fame is located at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University.  Tickets for the luncheon are available for purchase here.