College Sports Communicators (CSC) has officially announced the national winners of its prestigious 2025-26 Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest. The awards, which recognize excellence in collegiate sports storytelling, span across both College Division and Division I categories, highlighting top journalistic achievements from institutions nationwide.
Steve Bradley of Roberts Wesleyan College was honored with the coveted College Division National Story of the Year for his compelling campus relic feature. Concurrently, Jerry Price of Princeton University secured the University Division National Story of the Year for his engaging Tiger Bech feature. Both writers were recognized for their ability to craft narratives that capture the essence of collegiate athletics and campus life.
Further accolades were bestowed upon Sarah Kirkpatrick Ryan from Holy Cross, who demonstrated exceptional writing prowess by winning two distinct Division I categories. Her dual victories underscore a significant achievement within the highly competitive Division I landscape of sports communication.
The announcement of these national winners was made on June 1, 2026, marking a significant moment for the College Sports Communicators community. The Fred Stabley Sr. Writing Contest is a long-standing tradition, celebrating the craft of sports writing and the dedicated professionals who bring these stories to life.
Winners in the contest receive category honors and runner-up recognition, acknowledging their outstanding contributions to sports journalism. While specific cash prize amounts were not detailed in the available information, the prestige associated with these national titles is highly valued within the industry. The competition serves as a benchmark for quality writing, encouraging communicators to produce impactful and memorable content across various collegiate sports platforms.