BJ's Dyer wins top columnist award

Akron Beacon Journal columnist Bob Dyer on Monday was named the nation's top general columnist in 2007 by the National Society of Professional Journalists.

Dyer has worked at the Beacon Journal since 1984. On Oc\tober 5, 2006 Dyer became the Beacon’s ''columnist with attitude,'' seeking to provoke and entertain with reporting and perspective on local topics.

The awards were announced Monday in Indianapolis. This year’s winners were chosen from more than 1,000 entries in 48 categories including print, radio, television and online.

The Sigma Delta Chi Awards date back to 1932, when the Society first honored six individuals for contributions to journalism. The current program began in 1939, when the organization awarded the first Distinguished Service Awards. These awards later became the Sigma Delta Chi Awards.

The awards, which recognize work published in 2007, will be presented July 11 during the annual Sigma Delta Chi Awards banquet at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

“Year after year, the winners of the Sigma Delta Chi awards represent the very best journalism has to offer,” said SPJ President Clint Brewer. “These awards and the journalism they recognize represent the incredibly positive contributions our profession makes to the national dialogue and to our communities. We thank the winners and all the entrants for their service and congratulate them on a job well done.”

Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press.

Dyer won the award for a collection of columns. You can read the full columns online at Ohio.com The Beacon Journal announced the award in a story on page B1, the Local section front, which summarizes the four columns Click on the headline to see the complete list of awards.

Dyer also is the author of three books, Cleveland Sports Legends: The 20 Most Glorious and Gutwrenching Moments of All Time; Omar! My Life on and off the Field, with Omar Vizquel, and The Top 20 Moments in Cleveland Sports.