Joe Mitch

Membership approaching magical 1,000 mark

By JOE MITCH
USBWA Executive Director
mitch@usbwa.com

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Welcome to all new and returning members to another season with the U. S. Basketball Writers Association.

There's never been a better time to be a member of the USBWA.

The USBWA had one of its most aggressive membership campaigns in recent memory this past summer and early fall, thanks to the efforts of USBWA webmaster Ted Gangi, and the results have been very encouraging.

Membership has soared to more than 900 through October and a goal of 1,000 members for the year is within reach.

Should that happen, membership of 1,000 or more would be a first in USBWA history.

In addition to being a part of a growing organization that serves the best interests of writers covering college basketball, there are additional benefits to joining the USBWA.

They include both a printed and online membership directory that contains the names, email addresses and phone numbers of not only members but also the basketball contacts at each NCAA Division I institution and the beat writers, columnists and broadcasters who cover those schools.

The new online directory is always updated with the latest contact information for members. Click on MEMBER CENTER at the top of the USBWA website (usbwa.com) and use your personal online passcode to access the directory.

The directory is a valuable resource tool for writers and sports information directors alike.

Sports Illustrated writer and past USBWA president Alexander Wolff once said "the directory alone is worth the cost of membership."

USBWA membership is a boon for writers who will travel to cover games during the basketball season.

The USBWA offers discounts for hotel rooms and car rentals and savings on the purchase of clothes at airports.

Members receive a 20 percent discount off the best-available rate at participating Hilton properties around the country.

For car rentals, Hertz is offering members a 10 percent discount.

USBWA members can enroll for a Brooks Brothers corporate membership card and receive a 15 percent savings on regular-price merchandise online and at Brooks Brothers stores, many of which are in major airports across the country.

USBWA members receive a complimentary seven-month subscription to Basketball Times from November to May. Four of those issues include the USBWA's newsletter, The Tipoff, which provides members with lodge notes, columns from officers and board members and the latest association news.

In addition, the USBWA's website, usbwa.com, is an online source for news releases, the membership directory and back issues of The Tipoff newsletter.

Finally, you have in the USBWA an organization that continues to fight for improved access and for better working conditions for writers covering in-season games and post-season tournaments.

That has never been more evident than the recent push by USBWA officers and board members to regain coveted courtside seats that the NCAA has attempted to eliminate or reduce for writers at the Final Four and the NCAA's preliminary-round games.

Thank you for joining the USBWA.

If you have a colleague or writer friend who is not a member, forward them this link and encourage them to join:

• www.sportswriters.net/membership/

Membership is $50 and $25 for retirees, students and recent grads.