1. Welcome to SportsJournalists.com, a friendly forum for discussing all things sports and journalism.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register for a free account to get access to the following site features:
    • Reply to discussions and create your own threads.
    • Access to private conversations with other members.
    • Fewer ads.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon!

Congrats to McKenzie upstairs, and best wishes to his wife and family

Discussion in 'Journalism topics only' started by RedSmithClone, May 4, 2007.

  1. RedSmithClone

    RedSmithClone Active Member

    McKenzie wins Red Smith Award

    By The Associated Press
    Van F. McKenzie, who for seven years led the Orlando Sentinel sports department, is the 2007 winner of the Red Smith Award, a lifetime achievement distinction and the highest honor in sports journalism.
    McKenzie was the Sentinel’s associate managing editor for sports when he died Jan. 26 after a three-year battle with cancer. He was 61.
    The Red Smith Award, named for The New York Times’ legendary sports writer, is presented annually by the Associated Press Sports Editors.
    “Van was always someone who was out front in changing the way we presented our sports sections,” said Jim Jenks, APSE president and executive sports editor of The Philadelphia Inquirer. “He was not afraid to take risks, because he was looking out for the reader. He helped shape a generation of sports sections, as well as sports editors.”
    McKenzie, an Ohio native who grew up in Florida, began his journalism career at the Ocala Star-Banner before making stops at the Sentinel, Today (now Florida Today), St. Petersburg Times, New York Daily News, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The National and finally returning to the Sentinel. The National was this country’s first nationwide sports daily.
    A bold innovator and inspirational leader, McKenize’s sections were known for their innovative approach to design and presentation with a touch of humor always thrown in to engage readers.
    During his almost 40 years in the industry he also was a great teacher and mentor, having sent more than 30 of his prot_Deg_Des on to run sports sections of their own.
    McKenzie also knew how to foster great writing, having two former Red Smith winners on his staff, Furman Bisher (Atlanta) and Dave Kindred (Atlanta, The National). McKenzie is only the sixth of 27 Red Smith winners who spent the majority of their career as an editor rather than a writer.
    McKenzie’s widow, Sandy, will accept the award at the APSE convention in St. Louis on June 22.
     
Draft saved Draft deleted

Share This Page