Mel Greenberg
Encyclopedia
Mel Greenberg is a respected American sports journalist focusing on women's basketball.
Since 1970, Greenberg has written for the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he predominantly covers college and professional women's basketball
. He has helped pioneer national coverage of the sport, most notably as a leader in organizing the first Top 25 women's college basketball poll. For this and other accomplishments, he has been called "The Guru" of women's basketball.
In 1991, Greenberg received the first media award from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association
, an award that has since been named after him. The annual Mel Greenberg Media Award
is given to "a member of the media who has best displayed a commitment to women's basketball and to advancing the role of the media in promoting the women's game". Subsequent winners include Debbie Becker of USA Today
in 1992, Mary Garber
of the Winston-Salem Journal
in 1998, and Bill Jauss of the Chicago Tribune
in 2006.
In 2007 Greenberg was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
.
Since 1970, Greenberg has written for the Philadelphia Inquirer, where he predominantly covers college and professional women's basketball
Women's basketball
Women's basketball is one of the few women's sports that developed in tandem with its men's counterpart. It became popular, spreading from the east coast of the United States to the west coast , in large part via women's colleges...
. He has helped pioneer national coverage of the sport, most notably as a leader in organizing the first Top 25 women's college basketball poll. For this and other accomplishments, he has been called "The Guru" of women's basketball.
In 1991, Greenberg received the first media award from the Women's Basketball Coaches Association
Women's Basketball Coaches Association
The Women's Basketball Coaches Association is an association of coaches of women's basketball teams at all levels.The organization was formed in 1981, with the goal of addressing the needs of women's basketball coaches.The mission of the WBCA is:...
, an award that has since been named after him. The annual Mel Greenberg Media Award
Mel Greenberg Media Award
The Mel Greenberg Media Award, named after Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Legend Mel Greenberg, is presented annually by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association to "a member of the media who has best displayed a commitment to women’s basketball and to advancing the role of the media in the...
is given to "a member of the media who has best displayed a commitment to women's basketball and to advancing the role of the media in promoting the women's game". Subsequent winners include Debbie Becker of USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
in 1992, Mary Garber
Mary Garber
Mary Ellen Garber was an American sportswriter, who was a pioneer among women sportswriters. She received over 40 writing awards and numerous honors in a sports-writing career that spanned seven decades, the most prestigious of which was the 2005 Associated Press Sports Editors Red Smith Award...
of the Winston-Salem Journal
Winston-Salem Journal
The Winston-Salem Journal is a daily newspaper primarily serving the city of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and its county, Forsyth County, North Carolina. It also features coverage of Northwestern North Carolina and circulates as far west as Tennessee and north to Virginia.The paper is owned by...
in 1998, and Bill Jauss of the Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune
The Chicago Tribune is a major daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, and the flagship publication of the Tribune Company. Formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" , it remains the most read daily newspaper of the Chicago metropolitan area and the Great Lakes region and is...
in 2006.
In 2007 Greenberg was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
Women's Basketball Hall of Fame
The Women's Basketball Hall of Fame honors men and women who have contributed to the sport of women's basketball. The Hall of Fame opened in 1999 in Knoxville, Tennessee, USA...
.