DALLAS (NCBWA) – Because of his outstanding commitment to college
baseball, John Manuel, one of the leading experts as a writer, radio
commentator and television analyst, has been named as the winner of the
2003 National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Wilbur Snypp Award. He
is the third recipient to be honored from Baseball America, following
Jim Callis (2000) and Allen Simpson (1998).
"John is one of the most dedicated baseball writers, especially on the
college beat, in America," said NCBWA Executive Director Bo Carter. "He
has won many national awards, and this is just another he can add to a well-stocked
trophy case. John has been a great friend and adviser to NCBWA for many
years as well."
Manuel, 31, has worked at Baseball America in Durham, N.C., since
1996 and took over the college beat from former Wilbur Snypp winner Callis
in the summer of 1997. He has covered each of the last six College World
Series for Baseball America and has provided daily coverage of every
game for the last five CWS on BaseballAmerica.com.
He started writing his twice-weekly web column in April 1999. He also
has done television work for ESPN, College Sports Television and Comcast
Cable and this summer provided radio color commentary for Team USA's eight
games in Durham. A North Carolina native and UNC alumnus, Manuel is married
to Becky Kirkland and lives in Cary, N.C.
"I'm very humbled and honored to have won this award for doing a job
I love," Manuel said. "College baseball is important to Baseball America
magazine and BaseballAmerica.com, and I would not have been in position
to be considered for the award if not for BA's commitment to the sport.
That commitment is the main reason that three BA staffers have now won the
Snypp, and we intend to maintain that commitment with the help of players
and coaches who shape the sport. Thank you."
Manuel is the 29th recipient of the annual award, which is presented
in memory of longtime Ohio State Sports Information Director and NCBWA founder,
the late Wilbur (Bill) Snypp. Snypp was a noted contributor to the writers'
organization, which was initiated in 1962 (and celebrating its 40th year
in 2001), as well as an officer in the group.
The NCBWA/Wilbur Snypp Award yearly honors a professional for contributions
to the sport of collegiate baseball. Voting is done by a panel of previous
winners, who include past NCAA World Series directors, College Sports Information
Directors of America Hall of Fame members, decorated media members, and
others.
ALL-TIME WILBUR SNYPP AWARD
WINNERS |
1975 Wilbur
Snypp, Ohio State 1976 Bill Esposito, St. John's 1977 Phil Langan,
Cornell 1978 John Geis, Southern Conference 1979 Hank Schomber, Georgia
Southern 1980 Bob Culp, Western Michigan 1981 Lou Pavlovich Sr., Collegiate
Baseball 1982 Tom Price, South Carolina 1983 Bob Bradley, Clemson
1984 Robert Williams, Omaha World-Herald 1985 Jerry Miles, NCAA 1986
Larry Keefe, Seton Hall 1987 Tom Rowen, San Jose Mercury-News 1988
Fred Gerardi, KESY Radio, Omaha 1989 Jim Wright, NCAA 1990 Steve Weller,
SIU-Edwardsville 1991 Bill Little, Texas 1992 Kirk Bohls,
Austin American-Statesman 1993 Bo Carter, Southwest Conference 1994 Lou Pavlovich
Jr., Collegiate Baseball 1995 Steve Pivovar, Omaha World-Herald 1996
Gary Johnson, NCAA |
1997 Dave Wohlhueter, Cornell 1998 Allen Simpson,
Baseball America 1999 Alan Cannon, Texas A&M 2000 Jim
Callis, Baseball America 2001
Dick Case, USA Baseball 2002
Russ Anderson, Conference USA
2003 John Manuel, Baseball America
2004 Dana Heiss Grodin, USA Today
Sports Weekly 2005 Dennis
Poppe, NCAA 2006 Mike Montoro,
Southern Miss 2007 Barry
Allen, Alabama 2008 Mike
Patrick, ESPN 2009 Al Chase,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin 2010
Lou Spry, NCAA 2011 Jeremy
Mills, ESPN/D1Baseball.com
2012 Eric Olson, Omaha World Herald
2013 J.D. Hamilton, NCAA
2014 John Sullivan, Rice
2015 David Feaster, Dick Howser Trophy
2016 Ralph Zobell, BYU
2017 Aaron Fitt, D1Baseball.com |
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