Veteran writer Charles Hallman has been a staple on the MSR’s sports page for many years, as well as a versatile writer of other news and feature stories. As one of the most respected sports voices in the state, he was recently selected by the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) sports information directors as the 2022-23 recipient of the MIAC Mike Augustin Award, presented annually in recognition of the longtime Pioneer Press sportswriter who died suddenly in 1997.
“Mike Augustin was among the first mainstream journalists who treated me both respectfully and professionally,” Hallman said, “despite my association with a non-mainstream publication. Until his passing, we always had a friendly relationship, although competitors on our respective beats.
“To receive an award named in his honor is both extremely humbling and [makes me] proud,” Hallman said. “I truly love covering the MIAC and will strive to do my best to highlight the accomplishments of its teams, student-athletes, and coaches, and to spotlight both the diversity achieved as well as the challenges still ahead.”
Hallman was unanimously selected as this year’s MIAC Mike Augustin Award recipient by the conference’s sports information directors at their annual business meeting in August.
“Not only does the love that Charles has for his profession and subjects shine through in his work, but that work often challenges us as a conference to look further, dig deeper, and work harder in order to provide our student-athletes with the best college athletics experience possible,” MIAC Associate Commissioner BJ Pickard said. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving or representative of an honor such as this.”
The award recognizes outstanding contributions to MIAC athletic programs and their student-athletes. Former notable recipients include Bob Schabert, St. Paul Pioneer Press; Patrick Reusse, Minneapolis Star-Tribune; and Steve Thomsom, WCCO-830.
This latest recognition comes on the heels of back-to-back honors for Hallman. In the spring, he was inducted into the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s Hall of Fame class with four other honorees.
Next, the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association selected Hallman, along with ESPN commentator Holly Rowe, as a recipient of the 2022 WBCA Mel Greenberg Media Awards for his continued reporting on women’s and girls’ basketball in the community.
Hallman accepted his honors in April at the Women’s NCAA Final Four in Minneapolis. He will be presented with his latest award on October 22 during a ceremony at halftime of the MIAC Skyline Division football game between Augsburg and Hamline.
When asked what advice he would give to aspiring journalists of color, Hallman said, “Unfortunately, there’s a misnomer that only big media is the only place to work. If that’s your goal, please pursue it. But being prepared for it will not only get you the job but make you invaluable as well.
“Paying one’s dues is not outdated, and all experience isn’t always some plum mainstream internship,
Hallman continued. “I am proud of continuing the rich legacy of Black journalism, and of so many others who came before me and weren’t recognized or honored for their contributions.”
For more info, visit bit.ly/MikeAugustinAward2022.