Star Tribune Wins Nine APSE Awards

Minnesota newspaper earns top honors for sports journalism excellence

Mar. 12, 2026 at 3:21pm

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The Star Tribune, Minnesota's largest newspaper, has won nine awards in the annual Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) journalism contest, including recognition for its print and digital portfolios, podcasts, and high school sports coverage.

Why it matters

The APSE awards are considered one of the most prestigious honors in sports journalism, recognizing the best reporting, writing, and multimedia work across the industry. The Star Tribune's strong performance highlights its commitment to quality sports coverage and its status as a leading regional media outlet.

The details

The Star Tribune's award-winning work included a three-part series by Chip Scoggins, Jim Paulsen, and MaryJo Webster on how cultural and demographic changes are impacting Minnesota high school sports, as well as a long feature by Scoggins on a north Minneapolis coach and his imprisoned son.

  • The APSE awards were announced on March 12, 2026.

The players

Star Tribune

Minnesota's largest newspaper, known for its award-winning sports journalism.

Chip Scoggins

Star Tribune sports journalist who won awards for his feature writing.

Jim Paulsen

Star Tribune sports journalist who collaborated on an award-winning series.

MaryJo Webster

Star Tribune sports journalist who collaborated on an award-winning series.

Mike Tate

North Minneapolis high school coach featured in an award-winning Star Tribune story.

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The takeaway

The Star Tribune's success in the APSE awards demonstrates the continued importance of high-quality local sports journalism, even as the media landscape evolves. The newspaper's ability to produce award-winning work across print, digital, and podcast platforms underscores its value to Minnesota sports fans.