Both ESPN and The Undefeated were recognized for their investigative journalism and creative storytelling through writing, videography and photography with Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) awards, while ESPN.com was named one of the Top 10 websites.
Some storytelling highlights included awards for Elizabeth Merrill’s piece on former Villanova basketball star Shelley Pennefather and her journey to becoming a cloister nun, as well as Mina Kimes and John Minton’s Cover Story on DeAndre Hopkins. The investigative unit had multiple honors as well including Mark Fainaru-Wada and Mike Kessler’s story on former track Olympian and coach Conrad Mainwaring, and T.J. Quinn and Arty Berko’s reporting on the death of former MLB player Tyler Skaggs, to name a few. ESPN received nine awards.
(pictured above), a former Villanova basketball star who now is a cloistered nun.
The Undefeated received three awards including one for Jesse Washington and his column on James Harden and the unwritten rules of basketball and William Rhoden’s story on Colin Kaepernick. Marc Spears reporting on former San Antonio Spur Tony Parker’s retirement was also among those recognized.
“We are thrilled by our APSE National Awards. As a fast-growing but still small site dedicated to the intersection of race, sports and culture, it’s fantastic to see Marc recognized for his strength as a reporter and writer with more than two decades of covering the NBA,” said Raina Kelley, editor of The Undefeated. “His relationships have only served to sharpen and differentiate our coverage.
“William Rhoden and Jesse Washington are two of the strongest and most engaging commentary writers in the sports sphere and we rely on them not only for the strength and nuance of their voice – and we are all about voice – but also, for their talent across platforms,” Kelley said.
Tallying 13 awards, ESPN received more than any other media company. These honors are just another sign of ESPN’s continued commitment to being the leader in sports journalism and storytelling.
See below for the full list of winners:
THE WRITING WINNERS
THE SECTION AND WEBSITE WINNERS
I've lost and know people in my life who have fought through cancer. It's always been a subject that I've met with just inherent sadness. But @Tianamanga's story gives me a new perspective. A positive one.
This is a MUST READ from @kumaraishwarya. https://t.co/qRjWdh7KKo
— Jackie Powell (she/her) (@ClassicJpow) February 21, 2020
Remarkable young man…touching story. https://t.co/GVEZkrPV3a
— Patrick Malloy (@patrickmmalloy) February 19, 2020
.@MarkKriegel Excellent job on this (not that I expect anything less from you):https://t.co/9rzWLjC8kM
— Scott Wilson (@Scooma107) February 20, 2020
How the NBA has mourned Kobe Bryant through sneakers – #sneakers tell a story https://t.co/vcUmgOD5yC
— Dimitris Ioannou (@gavrojim007) February 21, 2020
Great piece @Sedano https://t.co/iaDlG23lVH
— Normz (@NormaRachelle) February 21, 2020
