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Tom Suiter Honored For Broadcasting Career |
WRAL-TV Sports Anchor Tom Suiter |
WRAL-TV Sports Anchor Tom Suiter received induction into the prestigious Silver Circle by the Nashville/Midsouth Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences on Saturday, June 30. The induction recognized Suiter’s 30 years in television at a banquet at Loews Vanderbilt Plaza hotel in Nashville, Tennessee.
WRAL-TV’s Director of Special Projects John Harris and Suiter’s fellow Sports
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Anchor Bob Holliday nominated Suiter for the honor. Holliday and Suiter have worked together at WRAL for 20 years, something Suiter says must be a record for local television sports. Harris said, “For 30 years, Tom has reported and anchored sports at WRAL-TV–carving out a unique spot in North Carolina broadcast history. Better yet–Tom has positively influenced the lives of hundreds of people who have come through the newsroom and station over the years. He works hard and expects others to do the same, and that example has sent the right message to others in this building.”
Suiter was inducted along with five others, including former WRAL sports reporter Rich Brenner, who now serves as sports director for WGHP in High Point, North Carolina. The Silver Circle honors those in the business that have exemplified excellence for at least 25 years.
Suiter has been at WRAL for all of his 30 years in broadcasting. Suiter said, “I’ve been around for 30 years and this is basically what it’s [the award] for. I feel very honored to have been a part of WRAL television for so long. It’s the only place ever worked. It’s an honor that they would have me there for that long. To have been in any business that long is a big accomplishment.” Suiter said he knew little about television when he began at WRAL, “I only knew how to turn the set on. I started at $90 per week with no experience on the air.”
Several members of the WRAL team were on hand to surprise Suiter at the banquet. Greg Fishel, David Crabtree, Debra Morgan, Pam Saulsby, Jayne Hodak and Tom Crichton traveled to Nashville to support their fellow reporter. Rick Armstrong also attended to put together a feature on Suiter’s honor. Critchton & Jay Jennings put together a retrospective of Suiter’s career for the presentation.
Retired WRAL anchor Charlie Gaddy is also a member of the Silver Circle. Reporter Don Griffin, at WRAL during the late ’70’s and early ’80s, has been inducted as well.
