Media: Foote, Advertiser sports staff earns top awards

The Advertiser, June 29, 2015

Kevin Foote honored as the state’s Sports Writer of the Year.(Photo: Paul Kieu, The Advertiser)

The banner Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame weekend for the Acadiana area in Natchitoches enjoyed a fitting conclusion Sunday when the annual Louisiana Sports Writers Association writing contest awards were handed out.

The Daily Advertiser sports section earned ‘Best Section’ recognition in the Division II category, while sports engagement editor Kevin Foote was honored as the state’s ‘Sports Writer of the Year.’

Foote earned that recognition after winning three first-place and a second-place in different writing categories, in addition to placing third in the Prep Writer of the Year category.

He was first in pro column for a rant on why Drew Brees remains a top quarterback despite the Saints’ losing season, a feature on the end of New Iberia’s Lloyd G. Porter Stadium and in spot news on the reaction to the LHSAA cutting ties with commissioner Kenny Henderson.

Foote also was second in the category of college columns for his insight into if UL has outgrown the New Orleans Bowl.

UL beat writer Tim Buckley also enjoyed a nice haul of awards with a first-place for his feature on Orlando Thomas and a pair of third-place finishes for his account of Elfrid Payton’s NBA debut and Catholic High of New Iberia’s loss in the Division IV state championship game.

Meanwhile, Lafayette’s Mary Beth McDonald received the LSWA’s prestigious Mac Russo Award. The award has been annually presented since 1983 “to the person who has contributed to the progress, ideals and fellowship of the LSWA.”

McDonald is only the third non-writer to ever win the award.

Also, her husband Dan McDonald won a second-place award on Beryl Shipley’s long road to the Hall of Fame, as well as two third-place awards for web stories on UL’s football season.

As a staff, the Advertiser won first and second place in the Division II special sections category with the New Orleans Bowl preview section being second behind the annual high school football preview section.

Also, Glenn Guilbeau of Gannett Louisiana was first for his account of the LSU-Auburn football game.

Athletic Network Footnote by Ed Dugas.
Congratulations to Kevin, Tim, Mary Beth, and Dan from all of their Ragin’ Cajuns fans and supporters.