Max Falkenstien, who has broadcast Kansas University basketball and football games for nearly six decades, on Monday was named recipient of the 15th annual Curt Gowdy electronic media award from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Falkenstien, 80, will be presented with the award for “outstanding contributions to basketball” during enshrinement weekend Sept. 9-11 in Springfield, Mass.

Past winners make up a who’s who in broadcasting. They include: Dick Vitale, Billy Packer, Dick Enberg, Bob Costas, Marv Albert, Jim Nantz and Dick Stockton.

Falkenstien and legendary Kentucky broadcaster Caywood Ledford are the only two award recipients to have worked exclusively for one college’s basketball broadcasts.

“I am astonished, to be honest,” Falkenstien said Monday. “I really think my selection is more a tribute to the history and tradition of Kansas basketball than my ability. To be in there with guys like Dick Enberg, Dick Vitale, Billy Packer, Bob Costas, all those guys who have received the award, is overwhelming.”

Falkenstien, who said Monday he definitely would return to the booth for a 59th season, has completed a rare sweep.

He was recipient of the College Football Hall of Fame’s Chris Schenkel Award in 1998.

“That was quite an honor, a wonderful honor,” Falkenstien said. “I was honored, flattered. I think I’ve received about every honor there could possibly be. My wife heard about this today and said, ‘Is this one something new?”’ he joked.

KU athletic department officials are thrilled for Falkenstien, who has worked next to play-by-play man Bob Davis for the past 20 seasons.

“Max is awesome,” KU coach Bill Self said Monday. “Max has performed at the highest level over an extended period of time like very few in his profession. To be named a winner of an award named after Curt Gowdy is a magnificent honor, one he deserves.”

“Max is a true legend. If anybody doubted that they can just take a look at the list of names he’s joining in that hall,” KU associate AD Jim Marchiony said. “It’s hard to put into words what he means to this program. Adding Max’s name to that list gives you an idea what he means not only to Kansas basketball but college basketball.”

Falkenstien isn’t saying if this will be his farewell season at KU.

“We’ll take it a year at a time and see,” Falkenstien said. “Retirement is relatively in the near future. I won’t put a specific date on it. I’ll be back this year and leave it at that.”

Falkenstien will receive his award at a recognition banquet Sept. 9 in Springfield, Mass. Print journalist Phil Jasner of the Philadelphia Daily News will be recognized with the Gowdy print media award.

The Hall’s Class of 2004 will be enshrined Sept. 10. The class includes former Kansas great Lynette Woodard, plus NBA great Clyde Drexler, Phoenix Suns owner Jerry Colangelo, NBA coach Bill Sharman, international standout Drazen Dalipagic and the late Maurice Stokes.