New York Post lead sports columnist Mike Vaccaro, ’89, was one of two journalists to earn the honor of being named 2013’s New York Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA).
The NSSA annually awards the best sportswriter and sportscaster in each state. The winners of the awards are decided by voting members of the NSSA from each state.
Vaccaro said the votes of his colleagues make the award all the more important to him.
“Well, the fact that it’s a vote of my peers makes it a little extra special because I suspect that’s a reflection of whatever respect I’ve been able to accrue over 25 years in the business,” Vaccaro said. “It means a lot to me that I’ve tried to be the same guy no matter where I was working. It was always about the job, doing it well.”
This is the first time Vaccaro has been honored by the association. He credits his success in 2012 to an eventful year in the sports he covered.
“I was able to be around a lot of great events. That helps,” Vaccaro said. “The Giants’ run to the Super Bowl was especially fertile writing ground, and the Olympics always present dozens of terrific subjects. The Jets are always good for comic relief, and the Knicks being relevant is great for a columnist around here. I certainly didn’t want for topics to tackle.”
Vaccaro has worked at the New York Post since 2002. Vaccaro previously held jobs at the Star-Ledger, Kansas City Star and the Olean Times Herald. He's covered multiple Super Bowls, Olympics, World Series, NCAA tournaments and a Stanley Cup final.
Vaccaro said the rush of covering championship events is the most enjoyable part of his job.
The
Communicator
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Really Good Sports
N.Y. Post's Vaccaro, Yahoo's Wojnarowski
recognized for excellence in sports journalism
Mike Vaccaro (right) and Adrian Wojnarowski take a break in the press tent at the 2012 London Olympics.
Vac named New York state's top sportswriter
By Taylor Nigrelli ‘14
Fall '13