Best Writing Contest deadline approaches

The deadline for submitting stories and columns published during the 2009-10 college basketball season for the USBWA Best Writing Contest is June 14.

Entries can be submitted in five categories: column writing, moderate-length features, magazine-length features, spot news/game coverage and enterprise/investigative stories.

Only dues-paying members of the USBWA are eligible to enter the writing contest. Members may enter more than one category but may submit only one entry per category.

Plaques and cash prizes will be awarded in each category, with $150 given for first place, $125 for second, $100 for third, $75 for fourth and $50 for fifth. Winners will be announced in the The Tipoff and posted on the USBWA Web site.

Send all entries to: Joe Mitch; USBWA Writing Contest; 1818 Chouteau Ave.; St. Louis, Mo. 63103; 314-421-0339. Entries also can be sent by e-mail to mitch@usbwa.com.

For entries submitted by mail, print the name of the category, author of the story, publication in which the article appeared and date of the publication on a 3-x-5 card and staple it to the article.

• Complete USBWA Writing Contest rules | Recent USBWA Best Writing Contest winners