September 19, 2007

ORLANDO, FL – Orlando Magic Spanish radio play-by-play announcer Joey Colon has been honored by the Asociación Borinqueña de Florida Central, Inc. (ABFC) as Citizen of the Year. The ABFC is a not-for-profit corporation that is dedicated to providing leadership in the development and delivery of social, educational, economic and healthcare services and resources to promote the well-being and empowerment of Puerto Rican and other Hispanic communities in the Central Florida area.

The Citizen of the Year award is given annually to a Puerto Rican in Central Florida that has been an exemplary citizen and has contributed in an extraordinary and special way to the community. Colon has received numerous awards and recognition for his work in the Central Florida community, including a Florida Senators Proclamation for his generous voluntary work during the three hurricanes of 2004. Colon is a permanent collaborator with the St. Jude Children Research Center, directing a radio marathon each year in order to help find a cure for cancer, and he spends his free time speaking to youth groups in churches and schools in both Central Florida and Puerto Rico.

Colon, the only Puerto Rican radio broadcaster in the NBA, is entering his tenth season as the Spanish play-by-play announcer for the Orlando Magic. Colon calls every game on La Grande 1030 AM (WONQ). In addition, he hosts “Inside Magic En Espanol” every Monday from 6-7 p.m.

Colon is very familiar with the Hispanic community in Central Florida. He has served as sports director for WHBS radio, WONQ radio and WBDN radio. Colon has also teamed up to work with Univision and Telemundo on several different television sports shows and has also broadcast Olympic Games with the National Team of Puerto Rico.

Born in Guayama, Puerto Rico, Colon is a 1995 graduate of Catolica Universidad. Colon and his wife, Laura, and his son, Marcos, have called Orlando their home since coming to the United States in 1985.