CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Veteran statisticians Freddie Kiger and John Maddrey are this year’s recipients of the Marvin ‘Skeeter’ Francis Award. Between them, Kiger and Maddrey have nearly 100 years of service as statisticians, working with television networks that broadcast Atlantic Coast Conference games.
The Francis Award, presented by the Atlantic Coast Sport Media Association (ACSMA) recognizes individuals for distinguished service to, or coverage of, the ACC.

Kiger grew up just north of Winston-Salem, NC. and was born within a year of the creation of the ACC. Though predominantly with Raycom/Jefferson-Pilot Teleproductions and ESPN, he has, over the last 48 years, worked in radio and television as a writer, researcher and statistician with almost every major broadcasting network. That span includes four Olympics, 25 NCAA Women’s Final Fours and this, his 43rd ACC Men’s tournament.  The three-time Emmy award-winner cherishes his six-decade association with this conference.

He is also in his sixth decade as an educator. Specializing in the American Civil War and North Carolina history, his podcast—Threads from the National Tapestry—has a world-wide audience.  His work and contributions in sports broadcasting and education have given cause for his inclusion in Cambridge’s Who’s Who for Higher Education, named a recipient of Carolina Alumni’s Distinguished Alumni Award and, thanks to a former student, Governor Josh Stein, awarded the state’s highest civilian honor, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine.

Maddrey has covered ACC sporting events for more than 50 years. He began working as a “Talent Statistician” on television broadcasts for Raycom/Jefferson Pilot Sports and ESPN in the 1982-1983 season. He has worked hundreds of men’s and women’s games, including 21 Women’s Final Four events. This year marks his 44th consecutive ACC Men’s tournament. He previously worked for WCAR radio while an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina, and for WINA radio while in law school at the University of Virginia.

He retired after a 40-year legal career with the State of North Carolina, which included a five-year stint as North Carolina’s Solicitor General. As Solicitor General, he represented the State before the Supreme Court of the United States as well as in numerous other cases before federal and state appellate courts. In 2021, Governor Roy Cooper honored Maddrey by awarding him with membership in the Order of the Long Leaf Pine in recognition of his service to the State.
Maddrey and his wife Jennifer have 3 children and 1 grandchild.

Kiger and Maddrey will receive the Francis Award during tonight’s first semifinal game between Virginia and Miami at Spectrum Center.
 
ABOUT THE MARVIN “SKEETER” FRANCIS AWARD
The award is named in memory of Marvin ‘Skeeter’ Francis, who served as the longtime sports information director at Wake Forest and the first administrator of the ACC’s media services division.

ABOUT THE ATLANTIC COAST SPORTS MEDIA ASSOCIATION
The Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association is an organization of journalists dedicated to fostering a mutually beneficial relationship between the news media and the institutions and administration of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
 
ALL-TIME FRANCIS AWARD WINNERS
2026      Freddie Kiger