FERRUM, VA, February 6, 2025 – Senior Kyle Markowitz, editor-in-chief of The Iron Blade, has won his fifth overall “Best of SNO” award and his third this academic year, from School Newspapers Online, for his story “Billy Wagner Enters MLB Hall of Fame.“
“Writing a story about Billy’s well-deserved accomplishments was an honor,” stated Markowitz. “Being able to have a conversation and create a relationship with a Hall of Famer is something I will cherish forever. Not only was I able to talk to Billy, but his coach and teammates here at Ferrum made the process of writing this story even better.”
Wagner was selected for the National Baseball Hall of Fame on January 21, 2025. In his tenth and final year on the ballot, he received 82.5% of the total votes cast, surpassing the 75% minimum required for induction. He is the first Division III baseball player to achieve this honor and will travel to Cooperstown, New York, on July 27 for the induction ceremony.
“This latest award for Kyle is from a story he wrote about former Panther Billy Wagner being voted into the Baseball Hall of Fame,” said Assistant Professor of English and Journalism David Campbell. “To have the experience of interviewing a major league legend like Billy is no small feather in Kyle’s cap, and I know his ability to cover and write that story means quite a bit to him.”
The Iron Blade has now won four writing awards this academic year.
