In 2019, the Metropolitan Basketball Writers Association inaugurated an annual college grant to a Met area student in sports journalism, communications or management which will be named in memory of Jim O'Connell, the longtime Associated Press national college basketball editor who passed away in July 2018, at the age of 64.

Oc, as he was known, was a member of the MBWA Executive Committee as well as the Naismith Hall of Fame. For many years he served as co-chair and a presenter at the association's annual NIT-MBWA Haggerty Awards Dinner.
 
Details about the "Oc Award," which will amount initially to $4,000 annually, will be posted on the MBWA web site, along with logistics about the application process, including deadlines (see above links).
 
"Oc was such a great friend and mentor to everyone, but particularly to young journalists and others getting started in the sports communications field, that the MBWA is honored to be able to create this scholarship award in memory of Jim O'Connell," said Chuck Stogel, MBWA president. "Oc provided a key hand in helping the Met Basketball Writers in all its activities, in providing judicious counsel to the executive committee and in helping us succeed in many of our endeavors."
 

The MBWA has established a sub-committee to administer the Oc Award, chaired by executive committee member Linda Bruno. The MBWA Oc Scholardship Award will be presented annually at the Haggerty Awards dinner every April.