Contest Rules


Georgia Sports Writers Association

Writing Contest Rules

  • All entrants must be members of the GSWA. (Membership is $15 per person per year.)
  • Articles must be published between Jan. 1, 2019 and Dec. 31, 2019.
  • Articles may be printed or published in an online format.
  • All contest material must reach contest coordinator Claude Felton at the University of Georgia by March 1.
  • Entry fee is $5 per story, column, section, etc.
  •  There is no limitation on the number of entries.

To enter follow these guidelines:

1. Paste or tape your stories (you may use actual newspapers, high-qualityphotocopies or computer printouts) to a standard 8.5 x 11 sheet of paper. Redact all headlines, photos, cutlines, any references to your newspaper and your byline.

2. Using a STAPLE (not a paper clip, glue or paste), attach a cover sheet to your entry. This should include your name, publication and category,along with the general subject of the story, and the publication date, should beon the page.

Cover Sheet Example

  • Name: Stan Awtrey
  • Newspaper: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
  • Category 1-A
  • Subject: Tiger Woods wins the Masters.
  • Published: April 12, 2019

3. Sections just need to have a cover sheet that includes the editor’s name, publication and category.

Section cover sheet example:

Name: Jim O’Hara

Newspaper: Rome News-Tribune

Category: 8

 

Send the material to:

Via regular mail:

  • Claude Felton
  • Georgia Athletic Assn.
  • PO Box 1472
  • Athens, GA 30603-1472

Via UPS or FedEx:

  • Claude Felton
  • Georgia Athletic Assn.
  • Room 201
  • Butts-Mehre Building
  • 1 Selig Circle
  • Athens, GA 30602

2020 CONTEST – ONE DIVISION ONLY 

Event category is for game stories only.

Category 1-A. Best sports event story on deadline, professional or college

Category 1-B. Best sports event story on deadline, high school

News story category is for breaking news — hirings, firing, trades, etc. 

2-A. Best sports news story on deadline, professional or college

2-B. Best sports news story on deadline, high school

Features category also includes enterprise and series

3-A. Best feature story or series, professional or college

3-B. feature story or series, high school

Others 

4. Best column (this is for individual columns)

5. Best columnist (submit three columns, no mandatory dates)

6. Outdoor writing (fishing, hunting, running, etc.) and Amateur, non-scholastic (non-high school or college)

7. Best section (submit three sections)

8. Best Sunday section (submit three sections)

9. Best special section

 

Furman Bisher Sweepstakes Award

The story deemed the best overall by the judges will be declared the winner of the Furman Bisher Sweepstakes Award. A cash prize will be awarded to the winner.

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