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VJ Lovero (Photocommunications ’83), former staff photographer for the Angels and the Mighty Ducks, culminated his exemplary photojournalism career with an enviable stint at Sports Illustrated magazine.

Lovero was presented the Wall of Fame award posthumously at the communications awards banquet; he died Jan. 12, 2004, of cancer. He was 44. He began freelancing for SI in 1985 and ultimately became one of their top photographers. His photos graced 39 covers. He shot every World Series for SI from 1989 on.

He was ringside when Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield’s ear. He got the key photo of Cardinals slugger Mark McGwire when he hit the tying home run in the 1998 race with Cubs’ Sammy Sosa for the home run record. And all his peers agree he was just a nice guy.

Lovero is survived by his wife, Trish, and sons, Jon and Jay. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim committed a $1,000 scholarship to honor Lovero. The first one was given to Photocommunications student James Carroll.