Connecticut chapter of SPJ names Excellence in Journalism winners

The Connecticut chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) released their annual Excellence in Journalism awards on Thursday.

The awards, for work done in 2019, were announced Thursday afternoon. The annual banquet, which would have been today, was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To reduce the spread of the coronavirus, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont issued orders limiting the size of public gatherings in March to less than 10. That order is still in effect.

We're pleased to share with you the winners in the respective sports categories.

Sports Column

Regional A

(1) How little we know; Hartford Courant; Mike Anthony

(2) No bathing suit, no problem for this Berlin woman; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley

(3) Jack Street touchdown pass for Newtown; Connecticut Post; Jeff Jacobs

Regional B

(1) Merge was spark to title for Innovation basketball; New Britain Herald; Ryan Chichester

(2) Time to move on, dad; The Chronicle; Michael Sypher

(3) Video clip provides motivation for CCSU football; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Sports Feature

Hyperlocal

(1) First Tee teaches golf, life skills; Glastonbury LIFE; Mara Dresner

(2) North Haven football supports Zak Radziunas at 15th annual Spring Brawl; North Haven Courier; Chris Piccirillo

(3) GHS girls’ rugby taking it to the next level; Greenwich Sentinel; Paul Silverfarb

Regional A

(1) Lack of respect; Hartford Courant; Mike Anthony

(2) Seeing a world of possibilities; Hartford Courant; Mike Anthony

(3) After Hurricane Marina, Paula Hernandez finds a home with Woodstock Academy volleyball; GameTimeCT.com; Dave Stewart

Regional B

(1) CCSU football player meets girl whose life he saved; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

(2) Capstone project tackles social issue; The Chronicle; Richard Zalusky

(3) Trevethan dedicates state title to beloved mentor; New Britain Herald; Ryan Chichester

Regional C (Magazine)

(1) A question of fairness; Connecticut Voice; Dawn Ennis

(2) Game on: Special Olympics celebrates 50th; Seasons Magazine; Teresa Pelham

(3) Going to the mat; WAG Magazine; Phil Hall

Regional D (Broadcast)

(1) One-handed MMA fighter excels and inspires; NBC 30; Matt Finkel

(2) Meeting your match; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

(3) Blind baseball broadcaster; NBC 30; Matt Finkel

Sports News

Hyperlocal

(1) Old Saybrook boys’ soccer claims second-straight state title; Harbor News; Chris Negrini

Regional A

(1) A week to remember, reflect for Newtown football team; GameTimeCT.com; Sean Patrick Bowley

(2) Esports is sweeping the nation; Hartford Courant; Shawn McFarland

(3) How youth baseball leagues adjust to low participation; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman

Regional B

(1) New Canaan’s Drew Pyne inspired by 8-year-old Ryan Berg’s battle against cancer; Stamford Advocate; Dave Stewart

(2) New challenge awaits veteran coach; The Chronicle; Michael Sypher

(3) CCSU football wins NEC championship; New Britain Herald; David Glovach

Regional D (Broadcast)

(1) The Yard Goats Hispanic heritage; NBC 30; Miguel Santiesteban

(2) Meeting your match; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

(3) Patriots Super Bowl sendoff; WFSB; Elliott Polakoff

Video Storytelling (News and sports entries in one category)

Regional A

(1) The 2019 CIAC Class L football championship: St. Joseph vs. Hand; GameTimeCT.com; Sean Patrick Bowley

(2) Take a video tour of Derby’s new Ryan Sports Complex and JR Payden Field House; GameTimeCT.com; Sean Patrick Bowley

(3) Danbury’s Rosetti overcomes speech impediment to standout at QB; GameTimeCT.com; Pete Paguaga

Sports Photo

Hyperlocal

(1) Celebrating; WestportNow.com; Chris Greer

(2) Commanding attention; North Haven Courier; Kelley Fryer

Regional A

(1) Flagrant foul; The Day; Sean D. Elliot

(2) Flippin’ good kick; Waterbury Republican-American; Jim Shannon

(3) The speed of light; Hartford Courant; Brad Horrigan

Regional B

(1) Weston stops Barlow, HS football; News-Times; H John Voorhees III

(2) Fighting for the ball; Record-Journal; Aaron Flaum

Other sports-related award winners

Audio Storytelling (Competing with news and other stories)

Regional A

(2) The oral history of the 1999 NCAA Championship winning UConn men’s basketball team 20 years later; Hartford Courant; Chris Brodeur

Diversity Coverage (Competing with news and other stories)

Regional A

(1) Transgender sports debate; Connecticut Mirror; Kathleen Megan

Feature Story (Competing with news and other stories)

Regional A

(1) Running into an unclear future; Hartford Courant; Lori Riley

In-Depth (Competing with news and other stories)

Regional A

(3) Empty promises and empty seats; Hartford Courant; Alex Putterman

Reporting Series (Competing with news and other stories)

Regional B

(2) Rise and fall of pro baseball in New Britain; New Britain Herald; Ryan Chichester

A four-part series

Part 1: One vote changes baseball history Part 2: How New Britain embraced the Rock Cats Part 3: Rock Cats sold to Josh Solomon

Part 4: Bees take over New Britain Stadium