By Hugh Willett
Roane County News Sports Editor Jason Perry has been selected as the Sportswriter of the year by the CAREacter Star Athlete Program.
“I’m honored to receive this award and proud to contribute to the CAREacter Star program,” said Perry, who will be presented with the award at Friday night’s Rockwood vs. Harriman game.
Founded by retired East Tennessee athletic coach Dave Moore with the help of Pat Summit and the University of Tennessee, the CAREacter Star Athlete Program is based on a five-point Star System that includes attitude, character, grades, community service and performance.
“In the world of athletics today, more emphasis is placed on the spirit of competition, rivalries and winning and less on the important traits of character, values and leadership. As coaches and leaders, it is our responsibility to encourage our student athletes to succeed not only at the athletic skill level, but more importantly, at the game of life,” Moore said.
Every week coaches from schools across the region select one student from each specific sport as their school’s “Star Athlete of the Week” based on our five-point system and criteria.
As a reward for their accomplishments, these students are recognized each week by their local media and presented with a T-shirt and a letter acknowledging them as their county’s “Star Athlete of the Week!”
Moore said that the Sportswriter of the Year honor — voted on by coaches and sportswriters across the region — recognizes the work done by sportswriters to promote the values of good sportsmanship and community involvement.
“We need to recognize those writers and coaches that lead by setting good examples. Jason has been very supportive of our program,” he said.
Perry has been Sports Editor at the Roane County News in Kingston, TN since 2017.
Perry is a 1996 graduate of Tolsia High School.
He attended Shepherd University in Shepherdstown, WV and graduated in 2002 a major in communications, broadcasting and journalism with a minor in sports management.
He worked as sports writer and photographer for the Big Sandy News in Louisa, KY. He later worked as sports editor at the Wayne County News.
While there he won numerous awards from the WV Press association such as best sports section. He also served as a stats consultant and color broadcaster for WFGH Radio for all secondary schools athletics.
Perry has won several awards from the Tennessee Press Association and RCN parent company Landmark Community Newspapers, Inc.
He said he enjoys covering local sports because athletes at the high school, middle school and youth league levels are playing for themselves and their communities, not for an endorsement deal or a paycheck.
“I want to thank Coach Moore and all the coaches in Roane County as well as my wife Paula without whose help and support I would not have been able to contribute to the CAREacter Star Program,” he said.
I am so proud of him, my hubby, my rock, my strength, my CAREacter sports writer of the YEAR!!
Congratulations
So proud of my cousin Jason. He has worked hard to be where he is at,but I believe he was always meant to be there. Keep up the good work.