PITTSBURGH, PA - Point Park University's School of Communication is partnering with the family of Myron Cope and the PIAA to recognize high school athletic communication excellence in Pennsylvania. School of Communication Dean Bernie Ankney said the competition will be fierce.

“Since establishing these awards three years ago, I have been thrilled with the increased participation and, particularly, the quality of the live broadcasts, sports photography and sports journalism that high school students submit,” Ankney said. “These students are doing high-quality, professional-level work, and I’m excited for another opportunity to shine a light on what they do.”

Elizabeth Cope, daughter of Myron Cope, said her dad would be honored that the awards were named after him.

“I love that my dad’s legacy lives on through these awards. Every year, these students honor him through the incredible work that is submitted for consideration,” Cope said. “He would be so excited to see these young men and women entering sports communication. I think his advice would be: 'Be yourself and don’t be afraid to take risks. Don’t let someone tell you that you don’t have the right voice or right look.'”

Awards Given:

A minimum of three schools are honored for each category.

• Best High School Broadcast of Live Sports
• Best Student-Led High School Broadcast of Live Sports 
• Best High School Sports Segment in a News Broadcast
• Best High School Sports Broadcast Show
• Best Sports Photography
• Best Sports Social Media Account (High School)
• Best Sports Website
• Best Sports Coverage in a High School Newspaper
• Best Sports Coverage in a High School Yearbook

Individual Awards

• High School Sports Social Media Account (individual)
• High School Play-by-Play Announcer of the Year (Greg Brown Award)
• High School Sports Broadcaster of the Year Award (Bob Pompeani Award)
• High School Sports Multimedia Journalist of the Year Award (Michael DeCourcy Award)
• High School Sports Podcaster of the Year
• High School Sports Newspaper Journalist of the Year
• High School Sports Yearbook Journalist of the Year

Brown, Pompeani and DeCourcy are Point Park alumni.

Any student who wins a Myron Cope High School Athletic Communication Award is eligible for a $1,000 scholarship if the student attends Point Park University.

Eligibility

Pennsylvania: Any high school in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is eligible to participate.

“The School of Communication offers a sports communication major and I'd love for these high school students to come to Point Park because I think it's the next step in them getting a job in broadcasting, college sports or professional sports,” Ankney said.

Online Award Submissions Due February 2, 2027

High schools can enter the competition online. All submissions must be received by February 2, 2027. Students are eligible to receive awards only if they attend the ceremony.

Awards Ceremony

Sunday, April 11, 2027 at 12:00 PM.
Point Park's Pittsburgh Playhouse

If you have any questions, please reach out to Dean Ankney.