Joe Mitch Heading to USBWA Hall of Fame

Former MVC Associate Commissioner Being Honored

Editor: The following is part of a press release from sportswriters.net.

(by John Akers)

Fittingly, the USBWA’s Hall of Fame welcomes the man who initiated the honor.

Joe Mitch was five years into his 36­year career as the executive director of the USBWA (plus three more as editor of the Tipoff) when he went to the board with an idea about how to honor members. USBWA founder Wayne Duke, past executive director Ray Marquette and writers Smith Barrier, Dick Herbert and Jay Simon became the inaugural Hall of Fame class of 1988.

Thirty-two productive years later, Mitch joins them.

“I’m humbled,” he said. “When we started this – and I say ‘we,’ because I wasn’t the only one behind it – I never felt that I’d be inducted into the Hall of Fame.” Under Mitch’s leadership:

• The USBWA multiplied from roughly 200 members to today’s membership of more than 800.

• The USBWA gained the financial stability it enjoys today through Mitch’s fund-raising experience from his work at the Metro and Missouri Valley conferences.

• Pool reporters gained access to officials and breakout sessions were provided for players during NCAA tournaments.

• Seminars and scholarships have been provided to high school and college students at each Final Four over the past two decades.

• The nation’s top player, coach and freshman are honored at an annual post­season gala, currently in St. Louis.

• Hall of Fame inductees and winners of the Katha Quinn, Most Courageous and Rising Star awards are honored at a luncheon on the Monday of each NCAA championship game.

“It’s been a great 39 years,” Mitch said. “I would do it all over again if I had the opportunity.”

Editor: Mr. Mitch invited me to join the United States Basketball Writers’ Association which helped launch this site.