The Louisville Courier Journal’s series, Safer Sidelines, has been recognized with a prestigious sports-reporting award for its investigation into sudden death in youth sports. Associated Press Sports Editors named the project by reporter Stephanie Kuzydym as the best investigative entry for 2023.
Launched in April 2023, Safer Sidelines delves into the ways in which high schools, athletic associations, and lawmakers are falling short in preparing for worst-case scenarios in youth sports. The project features a unique searchable database of athlete deaths in the U.S. over the past century, offering valuable information for Kentucky parents and athletes to assess their schools’ preparedness.
The APSE journalism contest does not have size divisions in the investigative category, and the Courier Journal’s overall entry for the APSE awards earned “Grand Slam” honors alongside publications like the Los Angeles Times and Omaha World-Herald. Safer Sidelines was also awarded first place in the sports, health, and wellness category for small/medium newsrooms by the Online News Association.
On a local level, Safer Sidelines was recognized as Kentucky’s best investigative story or series for 2023 by the Kentucky Press Association. Reporter Stephanie Kuzydym was also honored with the Jon Fleischaker Freedom of Information Award for her diligent efforts in obtaining records during the investigation.
