ABC7’s longtime sports anchor and host Rob Fukuzaki has been named the Los Angeles Press Club’s 2026 Joseph M Quinn Awardee for Lifetime Achievement.
“I am truly humbled, honored and blown away with this distinguished recognition,” Fukuzaki said. “It also gives me great pride seeing the names who were honored before me, many who I look up to and who I feel so fortunate to call them colleagues and friends. Knowing I will be joining that list is overwhelming and so very humbling at the same time.”
Fukuzaki is the weekday sports anchor for ABC7 Eyewitness News, as well as host of special sports programming, like Slam Dunk, Rams pre- and post-game shows, Saturday Night Sports, and Sunday Night Sports.
“Rob Fukuzaki is for sure a household name in Los Angeles, but just as important as his high profile is his charitable work,” said Los Angeles Press Club President Danny Bakewell, Jr. “He is clearly a pillar of his community, with a strong belief in giving back.”
When he joined ABC7 in 1994, Fukuzaki became the first male Japanese-American TV anchor in Los Angeles local TV news.
Since joining ABC7, he has done a great deal of work for the community, hosting charity events and emceeing benefit dinners. In 1996, Fukuzaki founded the Heads Up Youth Foundation, of which he is the chairman, and his wife, Sharil, is the executive director. The goal of the foundation is to help disadvantaged youth in Southern California. Some highlights of the foundation’s work include: providing low-income schools with backpacks, school supplies, and shoes; building a science lab and reading centers; and providing scholarships for foster youth attending college.
The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented at the 68th SoCal Journalism Awards Gala on Sunday, June 28, at the Millennium Biltmore Hotel DTLA.
In addition to honoring Rob Fukuzaki, Craig Melvin (NBC) will receive the President‘s Award for Impact on Media. Filipino journalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa will be bestowed with our Daniel Pearl Award for Courage and Integrity in Journalism. Carol Sobel will be presented with the Guardian Award for Contributions to Press Freedom. The Bill Rosendahl Public Service Award will also be awarded.
The evening will be dedicated to the memory of Will Lewis, a legendary radio personality and former president of the Los Angeles Press Club.
Some 550 journalists and media executives are expected to attend this prestigious event.
Proceeds from the Gala are the largest source of income for the Los Angeles Press Club, a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that speaks for journalists across all media platforms. The income makes it possible for us to fund our educational programming, mentorship program for young journalists from underserved communities, grants for investigative journalism, scholarships, etc.
All contributions are tax-deductible.
For more information about this event or to sponsor, advertise or buy tickets, go to www.LApressclub.org or contact Executive Director Diana Ljungaeus at 310.210.1860 or email Diana@LApressclub.org.
