2004 SPORTS REPORTING
Small newspapers
A8. Sports reporting
26 entries
Judge: Charlie Crixell is Sunday Sports Editor for the Houston Chronicle.
First place
Adam Kress, The Business Journal: “Passing the ball”
“Mixing sports and business has become a necessary evil in
today's world of franchise movement, arena constructions and salary-cap madness, and finding a way to make a business story appeal to sports fans isn't easy. Kress pulled it off in this story, which provides a lot of insight into the men involved in the sale of the Phoenix Suns, especially Robert Sarver, while weaving in details and background seamlessly. The accompanying jump-page graphic was a nice touch as well. While his question lead off a well-worn adage lacked some originality, he made it effective with his second line, which set up the introduction to Sarver well.”
Second place
Jim Powers, Ahwatukee Foothills News: "47 and counting"
“Excellent lead that draws the reader in to a gripping, deeply
personal story that is at once sad and uplifting. Powers did a great job of letting the principals tell the story with a lot of direct quotes set
up wonderfully by solid transitions. Would have liked to have seen a
couple of more sources in a story of this length, particularly someone from the Diabetes Association, other runners or a medical expert.”
Third place
Chris Fanning, College Times: "Bar Fight"
“Interesting and mostly well-written takeout on a different topic. Nice setup lead, multiple sources and good use of dialogue. Does a good job of explaining a ‘sport’ many people don't consider to be one. Story had some errors in spelling, style and grammar, so that's
something to work on in the future.”
Mid-sized publications
B8. Sports reporting
16 entries
Judge: Mike Fannin is assistant managing editor for sports at the Kansas City Star.
First place
Peter Aleshire, Phoenix Magazine: “Dennis Green is seeing red”
“A very complete and compelling profile. The writer did an excellent job of humanizing a man who just happens to be a football coach.”
Second place
Tom Danehy, Tucson Weekly: “The haves vs. the have nots”
“Good localization of a national trend, piece; it went beyond the obvious.”
Third place
Christopher Wuensch, Explorer Newspaper: “Broncos president ousted”
“This story shows you don’t have to cover a pro team to break interesting news.”
Honorable mention
Patrick O’Grady, Northwest Valley News: “Sporting new revenue”
“A fine overview of the economic impact of major sporting events coming to town.”
C32. Sports deadline reporting
35 entries
Judge: Kevin Bull, Sunday sports editor for the Kansas City Star, oversees a section that has been ranked by the
Associated Press Sports Editors each of the last six years as one to the nation's top 10 Sunday sections.
First place
Greg Hansen, Arizona Daily Star: "Best in nation from Tucson: Pima softball claims first championship"
“Very descriptive. Made me truly admire what these women
accomplished, even if it was junior-college softball and not pro sports.”
Second place
John Moredich, Irene Hsiao, Anne Denogean and Steve Rivera, Tucson Citizen: "Promising player's 'dream was football' "
“Great hustle and information for a sad story no one wants to write about a freshman football player collapsing and dying.”
Third place
Craig Harris, Paola Boivin, Mark Gonzales and Bob McManaman, The Arizona Republic: "Investors force out Colangelo"
“Thorough reaction story to the departure of an Arizona baseball pioneer.
C33. Sports enterprise reporting, under 1,000 words
16 entries
Judge: Bill Eichenberger is sports editor at Newsday and is a past president of the Associated Press Sports Editors.
First place
Jeff Metcalfe, The Arizona Republic: "Healing through coaching: Candrea draws his inspiration from late wife''
“Metcalfe resisted the temptation to make U.S. Olympic softball coach Mike Candrea larger than life in this account of his meeting with the team to talk about the sudden death of his wife. Instead, he relies on his powers of observation and the insights of those who knew Candrea best to paint a portrait of a man struggling as best he can to cope with a staggering loss.”
Second place
Bruce Pascoe, Arizona Daily Star: "Recruits ask about Lute's age and his plans to retire
“Tightly focused, readable inside account of Arizona coach Lute Olson and his age-defying energy and enthusiasm for coaching on the occasion of his 70th birthday. The fast-moving account of Olson's last eight days as a 69-year-old was an extremely effective way to begin the story, including the nugget that a functioning cigarette lighter to recharge a cellphone is the most indispensable piece of equipment on any rental car when Olson is on the road recruiting.”
Third place
Chris Hawley, The Arizona Republic: "Mexico counts on Ana— 400-meter star is country's best hope for any medal''
“Superbly writing and an ability to put the importance of Ana Guevara's quest for Mexico's only Olympic medal in a larger context elevated this story. This story was jam-packed with relevant detail on Guevara and the extent to which the country had grown infatuated with her and her quest.”
C34. Sports enterprise reporting, more than 1,001 words
30 entries
Judge: Joe Posnanski, sports columnist at the Kansas City Star, has been honored by the Associated Press Sports Editors for best column, best feature and best project.
First place
Paola Boivin, The Arizona Republic: “Section: 109 Row: 31 Seat: 11”
“Great enterprise always starts with a great idea. Paola Boivin
spent seven days writing about seven fans sitting in that special seat at Arizona Diamondbacks games. In doing so, she was able to tell us a little bit about what it's like to be a fan, but also a little bit about what it is that keeps people coming back, even to watch a losing baseball team.”
Second place
Scott Bordow, East Valley Tribune: “Cardinal Knowledge (Michael Bidwell is focused ...)”
“In this well-written piece, Bordow goes beyond the obvious and the cliché and tells us about the young Bidwell and how his tough personality both infuriates people and, in an odd way, gives fans hope that he will turn around the sad-sack Cardinals.”
Third place: Mark Shaffer, The Arizona Republic: “Beisbol striking out”
“Immaculately researched story about how baseball is losing in
Mexico. Shaffer digs past the economics and gets into other fascinating details, such as that soccer teams pay the newspapers large sums of money to get their coverage.”
Honorable mention
Tom Beal, Arizona Daily Star: “Challenges? Bring 'Em On”
“Wonderful story about Jason Bryn, a legally blind cyclist who has
spent his life beating the odds.”