ASWA Honors: Presidents Award, Bill Shelton Award, Herby Kirby Award For Story of the Year
The Alabama Sports Writers Association added a new honor of distinction in 2021, with the creation of the Presidents Award for the individual who best exemplifies the spirit of athletics in the state.
The honor is similar in nature to the already existing Bill Shelton Award, named after the late Cullman Times sports editor, which recognizes a writer's contributions to his newspaper, the industry and the community. However, the Presidents Award is meant to recognize someone exemplary outside of the ASWA membership, who is often outside of the spotlight.
Nominations for the Presidents Award may be made at any time to bamacentral@zoho.com.
The winner is determined by the Presidents Council, featuring those who have served as ASWA president over the years, and honored during the annual convention and award banquet in June.
ASWA Presidents
1974-75 George Smith, Anniston Star
1975-76 Paul Cox, Opelika-Auburn News
1976-78 Bill Lumpkin, Birmingham Post-Herald
1978-80 John Pruett, Huntsville Times
1980-82 Wayne Hester, Anniston Times
1982-84 Phillip Marshall, Montgomery Advertiser
1984-86 John Pruett, Huntsville Times
1986-88 Al Burleson, Huntsville Times
1988-92 Kirk McNair, Bama Magazine
1993-94 Charles Hollis, Birmingham News
1995-96 Ray Melick, Birmingham Post-Herald
1997-98 Doug Segrest, Birmingham News
1999-2000 Tommy Hicks, Mobile Register
2001-02 Phillip Tutor, Anniston Star
2003-04 Kevin Scarbinsky, Birmingham News
2005-06 Greg Seitz, Jacksonville State University
2007-08 Mark McCarter, Huntsville Times
2009-10 Ben Thomas, Mobile Press-Register
2011-12 Gregg Dewalt, Florence Times Daily
2013-14 Jon Johnson, Dothan Eagle
2015-16 Tommy Hicks, Mobile
2017-18 John Zenor, Associated Press
2019-20 Creg Stephenson, AL.com
2021-22 Christopher Walsh, BamaCentral
2023- Stacy Long, Florence DailyTimes
Bill Shelton Award
Presidents' Award
Herby Kirby Award (Story of the Year)
