ABOVE VIDEO:A sportswriter since 1978 and known for the heart, humor and thought-provoking nature of his work, Peter Kerasotis has chronicled the accomplishments and achievements of not only the Space Coast’s great athletes and teams, but also covered the international sports scene with a style that moves readers and invokes a special anticipation level for what he will write next.
PETER KERASOTIS – 2014 INDUCTEE
Peter Kerasotis
• Prolific and Versatile Writer
• APSE First Place for Columns
• Among America’s Best Storytellers
MERRITT ISLAND MUSTANG
Peter Kerasotis, veteran journalist, author and broadcaster, is one of the most extraordinary storytellers in America.
A sportswriter since 1978 and known for the heart, humor and thought-provoking nature of his work, he has chronicled the accomplishments and achievements of not only the Space Coast’s great athletes and teams, but also covered the international sports scene with a style that moves readers and invokes a special anticipation level for what he will write next.
Peter Kerasotis, veteran journalist, author and broadcaster, is one of the most extraordinary storytellers in America. (Image For SpaceCoastDaily.com)
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Peter’s family moved to Merritt Island in the mid-60s, when his father transferred with Grumman to work on the Apollo program.
He graduated from Merritt Island High School, Brevard Community College and the University of Florida with a major in journalism and a minor in English. He and his wife Shelley make their home on Merritt Island.
His first byline appeared in the TODAY newspaper, now Florida Today, and over the years he has also worked for The Gainesville Sun, The Dallas Times Herald, the Los Angeles Daily News and SpaceCoastDaily.com, with the Kerasotis byline also appearing in USA Today, the Orlando Sentinel, The Dallas Morning News and various other publications. Most of his newspaper work now is for The New York Times.
The hometown columnist’s reach goes well beyond Central Florida. He’s covered numerous Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals, National Championship Games, Final Fours, Wimbledon titles, the Masters and other major golf tournaments…just to name a few.
Peter Kerasotis recently authored “Once a Coach, Always a Coach: The Life Journey of Thomas Errol Wasdin,” the life story of long-time Brevard County resident Tom Wasdin. CLICK HERE to buy a copy.
The hometown columnist’s reach goes well beyond Central Florida. He’s covered numerous Super Bowls, World Series, NBA Finals, National Championship Games, Final Fours, Wimbledon titles, the Masters and other major golf tournaments…just to name a few.
The prolific and versatile writer authored a book, “Stadium Stories: Florida Gators,” in which he brings to life classic moments in Gator football history, is finishing another book and has two more in the pipeline.
He has also done extensive magazine work, from the now-defunct Sport magazine to various other periodicals, and for the past two decades contributed articles regularly to Orlando magazine
When he’s not writing, he’s on the air with his weekly radio show since the late ’90s on WMEL 1300-AM.
COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
In the past four decades, Kerasotis has collected an astonishing number of awards for his work, a reminder of his commitment to excellence, work ethic and talent.
A trio of Space Coast Sports Hall of Famers: Left to right – Peter Kerasotis, Clint Hurdle and Chuck Goldfarb. (image courtesy of heypeterk.com)
The most memorable of the over 30 awards he has amassed include multiple first place finishes from the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Florida Sports Writers Association for column and feature writing, and a first place in 2011 from the Football Writers Association of America as best sports columnist for a block-buster article that combined fact, passion and emotion in making a succinct and sustained argument that Florida coach Urban Meyer cared more about his 60th victory than the 30 players who had run-ins with the law.
Of his awards, Kerasotis says, “The awards and honors have been there, and they have been gratifying and at times validating. But I think I speak for anyone who has ever had a newspaper byline, written a regular column, done magazine pieces and authored books, in saying that it’s the ability to communicate and communicate well that is most gratifying.”
ADMIRED BY PEERS, SUBJECTS
Perhaps the most important testimonial to who Peter Kerasotis is and what he has meant to the individual athletes whose lives he’s characterized and our collective sports conscience is the perspective of four of his fellow Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame members:
Bruce Bochy
“I’ve known Peter personally and professionally for most of my career. Dealing with media daily, I’ve never met a writer more prepared or thorough. He makes sure readers get the complete story. His passion for the story and writing are unparalleled.”
• Bruce Bochy, Manager, San Francisco Giants, 2-Time World Series Champion
Clint Hurdle
“Pete Kerasotis is a gifted writer and man. He serves the reader with an unbiased view and perspective on sport and life. We’ve known each other for over 40 years and still enjoy each other’s company. And I’ve always enjoyed his writing.”
“After dealing with members of the media for the past 20-plus years, it’s easy to say that Peter knows how to write a story so that the reader will understand it completely. Peter is the most gifted and talented guy I know, and it has been a pleasure knowing him both professionally and personally during the course of my career.”
• Tim Wakefield, Boston Red Sox, 2-Time World Series Champion
Cris Collinsworth
“I look for Peter Kerasotis’ articles. He is tough but fair. He digs for details that complete the story. It is never about him, it is about the story. Enjoy, Peter is a rare breed today.”
THE 2014 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 9 with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. – and dinner and ceremony at 7 p.m.
FOR INFORMATION & TICKETS to the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame Induction dinner call 321-615-8111 or e-mail MaverickMultimedia@gmail.com
THE 2014 SPACE COAST SPORTS HALL OF FAME Banquet and Induction Ceremony will take place at the Cocoa Beach Country Club on Friday, May 9 with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. – and dinner and ceremony at 7 p.m.
