June 29, 2007

BIG APPLE SOCCER FINISHES IN TOP 3 OF NYC AWARDS
New York -- BigAppleSoccer.com finished among the top three entries in the web news exclusive category of the New York Deadline awards, which were announced at the organization's annual dinner at the Marriott Marquis June 21.

Editor Michael Lewis' coverage of the MetroStars sale to Red Bull -- "Running of the (Red) Bull" -- was selected as one of three finalists by judges.

In fact, the BigAppleSoccer.com entry was the only among the finalists that had only one writer. The other two entries had several contributing reporters.

There were no formal announcements as to who won second or third place, although all honorees received certificates.

The other finalists are the Newsday staff for its reporting of the Cory Lidle airplane crash and The Journal News for its coverage of the U.S. Open. The Journal News, which won, included several stories by a number of writers, graphics and interactive features for the readers.

"This is quite an accomplishment," Lewis said. "We continue to show the metropolitan community that we are the little engine that could.

"Looking at the other organizations that were among the finalists or won in other categories -- the New York Times, New York Daily News, Newsday, The Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg News, among others -- we were the smallest organization, if not the smallest. Certainly some impressive company to be around."

The Deadline Club is the New York chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Earlier this year Lewis was honored by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, winning first place in the news/game story category for his coverage of the MetroStars sale and by the New Jersey Society of Professional Journalists in the general execellence online category for similar coverage.

Since its launch on April 28, 2004, BigApple has earned 11 awards, including individual writing awards from the National Soccer Coaches Association of America in 2005 and the Press Club of Long Island in 2005 (best website and individual feature writing) and 2006 (third place in best website and online news), the Golden Web Award for 2004 and a recognition award for its coverage and support of the N.Y. Club International Soccer tournament in 2004.