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Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest
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2023-24 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest District Winners
National Winners Announced for 2023-24 CSC Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest in University and College Divisions
A story about football (not the American kind) and a story about a foot shared top national honors in the 2023-24 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest.
"
The Originals,"
David Kiefer's chronicle of the often rocky path to varsity status for the
Stanford University women's soccer team, was named National Story of the Year in the University Division. "
McDivitt's Road to Success a Lesson in Defeating Adversity," written by
Christopher Kuchta about a
Prairie State College softball player with a prosthetic foot, took home National Story of the Year in the College Division.
This year, for the first time in the contest's history, the Stabley Writing Contest was split into University and College divisions, allowing more recognition of the work done by members from smaller offices to be saluted for quality long-form feature writing.
For Kiefer, the Stanford Athletics executive editorial producer, this was his fifth National Story of the Year honor.
"It crossed my mind that the origins of Stanford's women's sports programs had never been chronicled," recalled Kiefer. "When I could, I checked the archives of the
Stanford Daily, curious to find the first mentions of 'women's soccer' in the school paper. That's how I discovered a student, Allison Brown, who singlehandedly started what would become NCAA championship program by putting a notice in the school paper looking for women willing to play together in the men's intramural league. What I found was a joyful - and even tragic - story that no one knew about.
"One gratifying aspect was that after this story came out, the university brought Allison Brown to campus from her home in Germany to honor her for her contributions."
"I feel that Colby's story was one that absolutely needed to be told because it truly is proof positive that we all can achieve well beyond what others try to set as a ceiling for us, no matter what type of challenges we may face," said first-time national winner Kuchta, the assistant athletics director at NJCAA's Prairie State College (Chicago Heights, Ill.). "Colby is a great person and softball player and it was an honor and privilege to be afforded the opportunity to tell her story.
After Kuchta's story was published, McDivitt received the NJCAA's Inspirational Athlete of the Year Award.
"It's also an honor beyond words to be selected as the recipient of an award with Mr. Stabley's name on it," Kutchta added. "I'd like to thank the selection committee for also honoring Colby with this selection as without her, there is no story."
Nearly 400 entries were submitted in seven categories in the 2023-24 contest. Each category was first judged on the district level, with the winners then advancing to national consideration. All national category winners were considered for National Story of the Year.
Kiefer, the University of Pennsylvania director of athletic communications Mike Mahoney and Millersville University director of athletic communications Ethan Hulsey each won two categories in the national judging.
2023-24 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest National Winners and Runners-Up
University Division
National Story of the Year – University Division
WINNER: David Kiefer, Stanford — The Originals
RUNNER-UP: Jonathan Okanes, California — Right in Character
Athlete Profile – University Division
WINNER: David Kiefer, Stanford — Life Wish
RUNNER-UP: Brandon Collins, Texas A&M — Finding Her Way Home
Coach/Administrator Profile – University Division
WINNER: Jonathan Okanes, California — Right in Character
RUNNER-UP: Joel Carlson, Montana — His cup runneth over
Event Coverage – University Division
WINNER: Mike Mahoney, Pennsylvania — QMH: Belief, And Disbelief, Across Three Unbelievable Nights
RUNNER-UP: Tim Cary, Miami (Ohio) University — McKee's Magic Moments
General Feature/Blog – University Division
WINNER: Mike Mahoney, Pennsylvania — QMH: Remembering The One and Only Tony Tenisci
RUNNER-UP: Mike Brohard, Colorado State — A Package Deal
Historical Feature – University Division
WINNER: David Kiefer, Stanford — The Originals
RUNNER-UP: Doug Dull, Maryland — Return of the Script
Season Recap/Preview – University Division
WINNER: Sarah Kirkpatrick, Holy Cross — A Year After History, What's Next? | 2023 Holy Cross Football Season Preview
RUNNER-UP: Joel Coleman, Mississippi State — The Path To The Dance
Social Justice/Diversity and Inclusion – University Division
WINNER: Justin Lafleur, Dartmouth — Reflecting on an Anti-Racism Activation Experience
RUNNER-UP: Tim Cary, Miami (Ohio) University — Alumni Spotlight: John C. Swann Jr.
Student Submissions – University Division
WINNER: Braidon Nourse, Colorado State – A Search Which May Never End
RUNNER-UP: Keeler McJunkin, California – You Better Believe It
College Division
National Story of the Year – College Division
WINNER: Christopher Kuchta, Prairie State — McDivitt's Road to Success a Lesson in Defeating Adversity
RUNNER-UP: Drew Wilson, Averett — Members of Averett men's golf's 2003 national championship team recount recount incredible comeback
Athlete Profile – College Division
WINNER: Josh Burkholder, Northwest Nazarene — McMahon Overcomes Health Scare to Lead Nighthawks Volleyball
RUNNER-UP: Aaron Morse, Bates — Meet Johnny Walk-on
Coach/Administrator Profile – College Division
WINNER: Larry Happel, Central – Teachers of the Game
RUNNER-UP: Kris Dufour, Amherst — David Hixon '75 Elected to Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame
Event Coverage – College Division
WINNER: Ethan Hulsey, Millersville — Undeniable Marauders finish the mission, win the PSAC Championship
RUNNER-UP: Larry Happel, Central — Believe it! Terrell shot seals Central men's basketball crown
General Feature/Blog – College Division
WINNER (tie): Christopher Kuchta, Prairie State — McDivitt's Road to Success a Lesson in Defeating Adversity
WINNER (tie): Steve Bradley, Roberts Wesleyan — 'She is a super hero': Women s basketball manager Katie Curtiss keeps Redhawks together
Historical Feature – College Division
WINNER: Drew Wilson, Averett — Members of Averett men's golf's 2003 national championship team recount recount incredible comeback
RUNNER-UP: Ben Fisher, Queen's University (Kingston, Ontario) — Gaels dive into the history and tradition of women's hockey at Queen's
Season Recap/Preview – College Division
WINNER: Ethan Hulsey, Millersville — Season Preview Part 1: Marauders offense moving forward with momentum
RUNNER-UP: Tim LaDuca, Lynchburg — Beach volleyball concludes inaugural season
Social Justice/Diversity and Inclusion – College Division
WINNER: Tim LaDuca, Lynchburg — Polepole: Women's soccer working towards gender equity in Rwanda through sport
RUNNER-UP: Justin DeWeese, Goshen — Faith That Shines
Student Submissions – College Division
WINNER: Sam Graham, Lynchburg – Baseball's non-rostered players making a difference at national championship
RUNNER-UP: Grant Cook, Grace – Grace tops Maple Leafs on Senior Day