The Grand Valley State football Spanish language play-by-play broadcast, produced by 616 advertising, was named the 2023 Statewide "Best" sports play-by-play broadcast announced by the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB). 
 
This was the  inaugural season GVSU dedicated a Spanish language broadcast for all home football games . Elio Benitez and Miguel Esparza handled the call that was heard on four stations across the state of Michigan, La Ponderosa 93.3 FM and 810 AM in Grand Rapids along with 103.1 FM and 1080 AM Midland/Lansing. 
 
"It is a tremendous honor to be recognized as the best sports play-by-play broadcast in Michigan in 2023," said Deputy Director of Athletics Doug Lipinski. "This award showcases our commitment to bringing Grand Valley State football to our Hispanic community throughout the state of Michigan. I am extremely appreciative of the efforts of Miguel Esparza (Play-by-Play), Elio Benitez (color analyst) and Jeremy Bolker (producer) in making our football broadcast the best in the state."
 
"I am thankful to have the talented and hard-working broadcast team of Miguel Esparza and Elio Benitez as part of the GVSU athletics family. Their professionalism, work ethic and passion make them an elite team. I want to thank the MAB for recognizing Miguel and Elio for their immense talent," added Lipinski.
 
Grand Valley State is the only school in the state of Michigan and the only NCAA Division II football program to have a dedicated Spanish language play-by-play broadcast. 
 
"I am deeply humbled and honored to be the recipient of this prestigious award," said Miguel Esparza. "It serves as a testament to the unwavering dedication and collaborative efforts of our entire team, whose contributions have been instrumental in the success of our broadcasts."
 
"Since the first day I set foot on the GVSU campus, I knew this experience was going to be special, and there are no words to truly quantify my appreciation for Laker Nation and the love they have shown the Spanish language broadcasts," said Elio Benitez. "For that reason, receiving this award is that much more rewarding! As it is now, one of the many success stories that form part of the history of Grand Valley State University! Vamos Lakers! Anchor Up!"
 
Esparza and Benitez will accept the award at the Broadcast Excellence Awards Show hosted at the Sound Board Theater City Hotel in Detroit on Saturday, April 6, 2024.