Creg Stephenson, Josh Underwood Honored, BamaCentral Wins 12 ASWA Awards
It was a night that Creg Stephenson of AL.com will never forget. Not only was he presented with one of the highest honors by the Alabama Sports Writers Association on Sunday, the Bill Shelton Award, but he also won story of the year.
His feature "The last days of Bryant: Six weeks that changed the face, future of Alabama football" earned him the Herbie Kirby Memorial Award at the ASWA awards banquet at Burgess–Snow Field at Jacksonville State University Stadium.
Josh Underwood of Jacksonville State was inducted into the organization's Hall of Honor. Similar to its Hall of Fame, the Hall of Honor recognizes non-journalists who either have been instrumental to the growth and success of ASWA, or to sports journalism in general and he or she has a strong state tie.
Previous winners include David Housel (Auburn), Don Naman (Talladega), Chris Thornton (Alabama), Larry White (Alabama), Greg Seitz (Jacksonville State), Ivan Maisel and Vic Knight.
BamaCentral won the most awards in the annual writing contest, 12, followed by AL.com with nine, 10 including the Herby Kirby, which goes to the best story among the individual categories.
Blake Byler of AlabamaCentral swept the four student awards, while Christopher Walsh landed three honors including best column and best sports story, writing on a deadline, professional or college event. Also winning three awards were Ben Thomas of AL.com (including best project), and David Glovach of the Florence TimesDaily (including best general feature without a deadline).
Among the awards presented Sunday night:
• Jimmy Smothers Courage Award: Alex Haddock-Thomas (Deshler)
• Mr. Baseball: Hayes Harrison (Oxford)
• Miss Softball: Ryley Harrison (Fairhope)
• Professional Athlete of the Year: Jalen Hurts
• Amateur Athlete of the Year: Trey Cunningham
• Small College Athlete of the Year: Chaney Johnson
• Community College Athlete of the Year: Kade Snell
The father-son tandem of John and Brodie Croyle was presented with the ASWA's Presidents' Award, which goes to the individual (or in this case individuals) who displays outstanding community service activities, and overall excellence while exemplifying the spirit of athletics in the state.
The Bill Shelton Award is a community service honor given to the top journalist in the state who excels in contributions to making the community better through journalism. Since it was first handed out in 2000, no one had ever won it and the Herby Kirby during the same year.
It's the second time Stephenson has won the Herby Kirby (2018). He also served as the organization's president in 2018-19.
Stephenson is just the fifth person in the organization's 51-year history to have won both the Shelton and Herby Kirby, and served as president, joining Tommy Hicks, Mark McCarter, John Pruett and Gregg DeWalt.
Note: Photos and videos of all awards will be added to all ASWA award stories
2022 ASWA Writing Awards
Best Sports Story, Writing on a Deadline Professional or College Event
Christopher Walsh, BamaCentral "Alabama Shows it can play with heart too while pounding Kansas State in Sugar Bowl."
Runner-up: David Glovach, Florence TimesDaily
Best Sports Story, Writing on a Deadline Prep or Other Amateur Event
Bill Lumpkin III, AL.com: "Homewood turns good season into great one with 10th victory."
Runner-up: David Glovach, Florence TimesDaily
Best Column (four entries)
Christopher Walsh, BamaCentral: "Wilbur Jackson and John Mitchell dedication about more than history"; "'This is all we have, but this is all we need' personifies this Alabama team"; Gameday Edition of All Things CW; "It wasn't just another top recruiting class by Nick Saban, but an answer"
Runner-up: Ben Thomas, AL.com
Best Football Feature (Power 5 programs or NFL)
Creg Stephenson, AL.com: "The last days of Bryant: Six weeks that changed the face, future of Alabama football."
Runner-up: Tony Tsoukalas, BamaCentral
Best Basketball Feature
Tom Green, AL.com: "The search that resurrected Auburn basketball and Bruce Pearl's career"
Runner-up: Edwin Stanton, BamaCentral
Best Baseball Feature
Joey Blackwell, BamaCentral: "Mudita: Alabama baseball players find joy in their teammates success"
Runner-up: Ben Thomas, AL.com
Best Outdoors Feature
Alen Clemson, Modern Hunter: "Snow Goose Hunting: Arkansas State:
Runner-Up: Bill Lumpkin III, Arab Tribune
Best General Feature
David Glovach, Florence TimesDaily, "Closing high school readies for final athletic event."
Runner-up: Christopher Walsh, BamaCentral
Best Enterprise/Explanatory Story
Tom Green, AL.com, "What it's like from the other side of an Auburn basketball Twitter storm."
Runner-up: Katie Windham, BamaCentral
Breaking News Story
Mike Rodak, AL.com, "Nick Saban: Texas A&M 'Bought every player' in No. 1 recruiting class, Alabama 'didn't buy one.'"
Runner-up: Arthur Mack, AL.com
Project Story
Ben Thomas, AL.com, series of Sunday stories based on an anonymous survey of Alabama high school football coaches.
Runner-up: Joey Blackwell, BamaCentral
Best Deadline or Game Story by a Student:
Blake Byler, BamaCentral, "Unlikely heroes stepped up in Alabama basketball's won over No. 1 Houston"
Runner-up: Blake Byler, BamaCentral
Best Enterprise or Feature by a Student:
Blake Byler, BamaCentral: "Freshman Noah Clowney looks like Alabama basketball's hidden Gem"
Runner-up: Blake Byler, BamaCentral
Sweepstakes Award (Herby Kirby Memorial Award, bets story from all categories above):
Creg Stephenson, AL.com: "The last days of Bryant: Six weeks that changed the face, future of Alabama football."
SEE ALSO: John, Brodie Croyle honored with ASWA Presidents’ Award
