I received a special award Thursday afternoon at the Boys Sweet 16 in Rupp Arena during halftime of Boyd County’s game with Marshall County. Special because of the people whose names are attached to it. It was the Bob White/Mike Fields KHSAA Media Service Award. Bob (53 years writing for The Courier-Journal) and Mike (35 ½ years at Herald-Leader, 41 as a sportswriter) are the two best high school sports reporters in the state over the last 65 years.
Bob, who passed in 2024, was a mentor to many of us when he was at the C-J. What a kind person he was. Mike handed the award to me and that meant so much because of how much he has done for high school sports in the state. He was a peer and good friend during nearly all my 42 years at The Daily Independent.
Also, kudos to KHSAA Commissioner Julian Tackett, who started the award. He has been a tremendous leader for Kentucky high school sports. A really good man and someone I’ve known and respected for decades. Julian put the award together for the first time last year because he understood the importance Bob White and Mike Fields to Kentucky high school sports, and there were others in the state who should be honored, too. Thank you, KHSAA and Julian, for recognizing those who tell the stories of our high school sports heroes in Kentucky.
Along with myself, John Henson of the Harlan Enterprise and retired Kentucky Press Association chief David Thompson were recognized with the honor this year. That’s two more men that I admire greatly. Ivan Rice, Rick Shaw and Gary Ball were selected in the inaugural year.
Thankful to the Lord for a good day full of blessings. Never expected to be standing at midcourt in Rupp Arena at 68, or any age for that matter.
A good day indeed.
MARK MY WORDS 2 