By: Chuck Stogel, MBWA, 914-428-6111, chstogel@aol.com
January, 2026
TO: Met Area Colleges and Universities, Conference Personnel, Athletic Directors, Sports Information Departments, Interested Personnel
FR: Linda Bruno, chairperson, MBWA Oc Award Selection Committee (linda.bruno1@gmail.com, 267-970-8593)
Greetings and Best Wishes for the New Year.
This is a notice to let you know that the Met Basketball Writers Association once again is offering a Met area college student the opportunity to apply for the MBWA Jim O’Connell Sports Communications Scholarship, aka The Oc Award. The award is named in memory of our dear friend, the late Jim O’Connell, longtime college basketball editor at The Associated Press and a significant presence in our association.
PLEASE CIRCULATE AT YOUR SCHOOL OR CONFERENCE (to Met area schools).
The Oc Award is a $4,000 stipend presented to a student pursuing a degree in sports journalism or communications, or closely related field (journalism, communications, sports management, English, etc.); and/or working part-time in sports information, athletics administration, student radio station, student newspaper, etc. Related work off-campus also meets this requirement, as do internships.
We have established an online process for applicants at our website,
www.metbasketballwriters.org.
By clicking open the “Menu” at the top of the MBWA website home page, and then opening the “Awards” sub-section that says “MBWA Oc Scholarship Award,” two important files are available: 1) Scholarship Eligibility Criteria; 2) Scholarship Application Form 2026.
The direct links to these two items are:
Criteria
Link Here
Application Form
Link Here
In addition to filling out the form, the application file provides instructions on supporting materials
that are needed.
The deadline for submission of the application and necessary supporting materials is Friday, February 27, 2026.
A selection panel will review all applications and materials, and choose a recipient.
A check presentation to the Oc Scholarship recipient will be made at the annual MBWA All-Met Haggerty Awards Dinner, scheduled for Thursday, April 23, 2026, at the Sleepy Hollow Hotel & Conference Center in Tarrytown, NY.
Everyone is encouraged to consider nominating a worthy candidate from your institution that meets the criteria as outlined on the website.
If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Thank you for your continued support of the MBWA and its activities.