PORTLAND, Ore. – Portland Timbers radio announcer Andy McNamara is a finalist for the 2005 Sportscaster of the Year for the state of Oregon, an award presented annually by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA).

McNamara, the radio voice of the Timbers since their inaugural 2001 United Soccer Leagues season, is one of three finalists for the peer-selected honor.

The NSSA, headquartered in Salisbury, N.C., annually recognizes outstanding sportscasters and sportswriters from each state, also honoring national winners at its annual awards program, held this year at the historic Salisbury Depot from April 29-May 1.

The list of finalists for this year's awards was compiled from ballots submitted by NSSA members as well as select sports editors and sports directors from across the state, with the winner of both the writing and broadcasting awards expected to be announced by mid-January, according to NSSA officials.

Joining McNamara as finalists for Oregon’s Sportscaster of the Year for 2005 are Brian Wheeler of the Portland Trail Blazers and Mike Parker from Oregon State University.

Ron Pivo from KGW-TV in Portland was the recipient of the 2004 Sportscaster of the Year for Oregon. Among past winners, former Portland Beavers play-by-play broadcaster Bill Schonely received the award for his work with Portland’s Triple-A Baseball team in 2001 and 2003.