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Fred Hartman Excellence in Sports Writing Award

fred hartman

DEADLINE: March 1, 2024 - EXTENDED TO MARCH 20


The contest will be open to any journalist currently employed with a Texas newspaper of more than 10,000 in circulation. 

Hartman Newspapers L.P. is giving one talented sportswriter a chance to claim $1,000 and the title of best sportswriter in Texas. The family-owned newspaper group is sponsoring the Fred Hartman Excellence in Sportswriting Award, named in honor of the late Texas sportswriter and newspaper owner.

Fred Hartman began his newspaper career as a sportswriter and eventually became editor and publisher of The Baytown Sun, working for Carmage Walls and Southern Newspapers.

He became a newspaper owner later in his career, but he never lost his passion for sportswriting.

Each year the contest alternates between two fixed circulation breaks: more than 10,000 and less than 10,000.

How to Enter

This year's contest will be open sports writers working for newspapers of more than 10,000 circulation.

Submit digital tear sheets of five of your best sports stories originally published in a Texas newspaper during the period of Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2023 with a coversheet stating the name of the writer and the newspaper that employs him or her. Sports photos will not be considered. The winner will be chosen based on quality of writing.

All entries must be emailed or transferred (via a file sharing service like Dropbox or Google Docs) to TPA's contest coordinator, Candace Velvin, at cvelvin@texaspress.com. Multiple sportswriters from the same newspaper may enter, but all contest entries must be submitted by an editor or publisher who signs the cover letter.

The winner will be announced at the 2024 TPA Convention & Trade Show June 20-22, 2024, at the Hilton College Station Conference Center & Hotel.

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