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Daily Bruin reporter Chris Kalra, The Ball State Daily News reporter Andrew Mishler and The Daily Collegian reporter John Stuetz were selected as the 2012 Off the Block Men’s Volleyball Conference Reporters of the Year.
The Off the Block Men’s Volleyball Conference Reporters of the Year recognizes the best college newspaper reporters in the EIVA, MIVA and MPSF.
Winners were determined primarily on their reporting and writing skills and their ability to produce articles that went beyond the box score and game notes. Also factored into the award was the reporter’s use of non-traditional media such as online video, blogs and social media.
Throughout the season Off the Block conducted an analysis of men’s volleyball coverage in college and professional newspapers from around the nation.
This is the second consecutive year that individuals from Ball State and Penn State have won conference reporter of the year honors. In addition, this is the first time a reporter from UCLA has received the award.
Off the Block launched in January 2011 and is the nation’s leading website in college men’s volleyball news and analysis.
2012 OFF THE BLOCK CONFERENCE REPORTERS OF THE YEAR
EIVA: John Stuetz, The Daily Collegian, Penn State University
MIVA: Andrew Mishler, The Ball State Daily News, Ball State University
MPSF: Chris Kalra, Daily Bruin, UCLA
EIVA Reporter of the Year: John Stuetz
Stuetz, a freshman, is the 2012 Off the Block EIVA Reporter of the Year. The freshman was one of three Collegian reporters covering the Penn State men’s volleyball team and wrote more than 50 articles this season. Stuetz placed an emphasis on writing compelling personality profiles and news-feature stories that examined controversial issues within the volleyball community. Among Stuetz’s most discussed articles this year was a look at how Title IX has affect the growth of NCAA Division I-II men’s volleyball. Stuetz also helped run the newspaper’s men’s volleyball Twitter account and helped The Daily Collegian provide live in-match Tweets for every Penn State match this season.
MIVA Reporter of the Year: Andrew Mishler
Andrew Mishler, a junior, is the 2012 Off the Block MIVA Reporter of the Year. Mishler is repeating as the MIVA Reporter of the Year and is the first individual to win multiple reporter of the year titles in any conference. The junior covered the Ball State men’s volleyball team for the Daily News and wrote more than 75 stories throughout the season ranging from insightful game stories that went beyond rehashing the box score to personality profiles about players on the team. One of Mishler’s top articles this year was a feature story on senior outside attacker Jeff Aucoin, who transferred to Ball State after playing club volleyball at New Hampshire. Mishler also coordinated live chats during Ball State home matches that gave readers instant in-match updates and was an on-air analyst for a weekly online sports show dedicated to Ball State volleyball.
MPSF Reporter of the Year: Chris Kalra
Chris Kalra, a freshman, is the 2012 Off the Block MPSF Reporter of the Year. The freshman was one of two Daily Bruin beat reporters for the UCLA men’s volleyball team and wrote more than 40 articles this season. Kalra primarily focused on preview and game stories but added several strong news-features and personality profiles articles. Among Kalra’s top stories was a feature story about senior outside attacker Jeremy Casebeer overcoming a serious injury and working his way back into UCLA’s starting lineup. Kalra was also one of the nation’s best lead writers this year for men’s volleyball stories. The freshman mastered the use of writing a delayed lead that gave readers in-sight to the team and made the reader want to continue to read the rest of the article.
I love ya, Vinnie….but “Volleyball Reporters of the Year Awards”? LOL….that’s a bit much! 🙂
It’s just one of the things we do here at Off the Block. All these student-journalists did a great job this year, and we are more than proud to recognize them. I really believe one aspect to helping grow the game is recognizing the outstanding efforts of student journalists who help promote the game on their campus through their coverage.