BWAA BUSINESS

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BWAA Embraces SPJ Code of Ethics

    Dear Members -- Rather than try to invent a new code of ethics just for boxing journalism, we're embracing the popular Code of Ethics created by the Society of Professional Journalists. The code is here http://www.spj.org/ethicscode.asp. As the SPJ explains:

The SPJ Code of Ethics is voluntarily embraced by thousands of journalists, regardless of place or platform, and is widely used in newsrooms and classrooms as a guide for ethical behavior. The code is intended not as a set of "rules" but as a resource for ethical decision-making.
                                

Why do we want a "Code of Ethics"? Writing is a tough business; so is boxing. The BWAA's purpose is to support its members. The old days when every journalist came up through a newspaper with a hardcore set of ethics rules to follow as a job requirement are in the past. We all work for different places, and occasionally an opportunity may come along that might make one ask "is this ok?" The SPJ code can provide guidance. We're a professional journalists' organization, chartered "to foster the highest professional and ethical standards in boxing journalism," and it's worthwhile to have a resource for members and a set of best practices to point to.

     Whomever you work for, you don't work for the BWAA, and we're not here to be ethics police. "Embracing" this new code means, simply, pointing to it, so it's easier to find. The BWAA has a small set of bylaws already -- there's one that says a member may dismissed for "conduct detrimental to the organization." That move can be made only by a vote of the BWAA officers and board members, who also could use the journalistic high standards described in the SPJ code as a resource, not as a rulebook.

Don Steinberg
1st VP, BWAA

    

Legal services available

  January 29, 2009 - The BWAA has obtained the services of attorney, Keith M. Sullivan, Esq. as a legal consultant.  Mr. Sullivan's services will come at no cost to the BWAA or our members who reach out to him. Mr. Sullivan is a partner in the law firm Sullivan & Galleshaw, LLP of New York City.  At present, he serves as a distinguished member on the board of directors of the Atlas Foundation and Ring 8 of N.Y.  Mr. Sullivan is an adjunct professor at Pace University School of Law and lecturer for Kaplan-PMBR (a course that prepares law school graduates for taking the multi-state portion of the Bar exam).

    Mr. Sullivan can help the BWAA with a number of issues that might arise unexpectedly, but for the most part, I expect him to be an asset in the following matters:

·        Helping members understand the bylaws and amending them where applicable.

·        Handling BWAA legal matters that may arise throughout the year.

·        Providing a seminar on legal topics of interest.

·        Setting up a "Defamation Hotline" - where BWAA members can ask questions. (Keep in mind that the laws change from State to State).

·        Proof reading a story in advance of it being published to be sure it contains nothing libelous.

·        Limited court representation.

        Mr. Sullivan can be contacted at 718-326-6200 or keith@sullivangalleshaw.com. Fax: 718-228-7010. The firm's web site is www.SullivanGalleshaw.com.  Please make reference to the BWAA in any correspondence to Mr. Sullivan. Please join me in welcoming Keith M. Sullivan into the BWAA family and wishing him an association with us that lasts for years. -- Jack Hirsch


BWAA PASSES BYLAW AMENDMENTS

The Boxing Writers Association of America has updated its bylaws to be more inclusive to its ever-growing membership. Full members recently were asked to vote on four proposed amendments that would address emerging inadequacies from bylaws drawn up when the BWAA was substantially more concentrated in the Northeast U.S. and to create freedom to offer more within the organization. All four amendment proposals passed convincingly.

The first proposal to amend Article III and open up voting on officers to all paid, full BWAA members via mail as opposed to requiring attendance at the annual winter meeting passed by a count of 44-2.

The second proposal to amend Article VIII, Section C to allow for the expansion of our annual writing contest known as the Barney Awards was approved by a count of 44-0 with two abstentions.

The third proposal to amend Article IX, Section A to remove wording that dictates every annual awards dinner be held in New York was approved by a count of 45-1.

The fourth proposal to amend Article IX, Section C to permit for the expansion of our annual awards upon recommendation and a vote of BWAA members passed by a count of 45-1.

The deadline for the ballots to be returned was Sept. 15, but extra time was allowed to accommodate members who had not updated their mailing addresses over the years and our international contingent. Given that ballots received as late as Oct. 2 were counted, the overall voter turnout was somewhat disappointing, but no less official in passing all four amendments.

For older BWAA news announcements please click here.

ASSOCIATION NOTES

Robinson, Ali, Frazier Among
New Names
for BWAA Awards  

      By a vote of the officers and board of directors, the Boxing Writers Association of America has changed the names on five of its yearly awards. The new names will be as follows:

       Edward J. Neil's name on the "Fighter of the Year" award has been replaced with that of Sugar Ray Robinson.

      Al Buck's name on the "Manager of the Year" award has been replaced with that of Cus D'Amato.

      James J. Walker's name on the "Long and Meritorious Service" award has been replaced with that of John F. X. Condon.

      Eddie Futch's name will now be the only one on the "Trainer of the Year" award. Condon's name will no longer be on that award with him.

      Harry Markson's name on the "Fight of the Year" award has been replaced with that of both Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

      The officers and board of directors voted against changing the name on the James J. Farley award for "Honesty and Integrity" in Boxing.

      All our other awards will retain their names. They are as follows:

      The Nat Fleischer award for "Excellence in Boxing Journalism."

      The Bill Crawford award for "Courage in Overcoming Adversity."

      The Sam Taub award for "Excellence in Broadcast Journalism."

      The A.J. Liebling award for "Outstanding Boxing Journalism."

      The Marvin Kohn "Good Guy award." 

      The BWAA extends its gratitude to Steve Farhood, who played an integral role in this process as chairman of the committee who recommended the above.

Courage Award Named for Crawford

DECEMBER 19, 2008 -- By a vote of the officers and board members of the Boxing Writers Association of America, the "Courage in Overcoming Adversity Award" has been named for the late Bill Crawford. The first Crawford Award will be presented at the 84th annual BWAA Awards Banquet in New York City on April 17, 2009.

Bill Crawford, who was 81 when he died in his hometown of Palmer Lake, Colo., in 2000, was a native of Pueblo, Colo., and former Golden Gloves boxer who dreamed of one day becoming a professional world champion. But his fighting skills were used for a higher purpose during World War II.

Crawford was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for conspicuous gallantry for his actions during heavy fighting in September 1943 near Altavilla, Italy. On three separate occasions, and on his own initiative, he raced through intense enemy fire to detonate hand grenade on enemy gun sites. Captured by the Germans during the same engagement for which he eventually earned his Medal of Honor, he was listed as "presumed dead." His father was presented his CMH in 1945. Later in 1945, Crawford was among a group of soldiers rescued from German control. He remained in the Army and retired in 1967 as a master sergeant, later serving as a custodian at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Until his death, he spoke modestly, if at all, of the fact he was the recipient of the highest military honor his country can confer.

"I was just glad I was doing my part," he once said in an interview. "I figured it was just a normal call of duty."

The BWAA is proud to name its "Courage in Overcoming Adversity Award" in honor of a true American hero. A veterans group has advised the BWAA that a living Medal of Honor recipient will be in attendance at the BWAA Awards Dinner to present the first Crawford Award.

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