Local Sports Writer Brandon Hansen Recognized Statewide

Local Statesman-Examiner reporter Brandon Hansen was honored with a third place finish as part of the Washington Newspaper Association (WNPA) Sports Writer of the Year award. According to the organization, the WNPA has served more than 70 Washington community newspapers since 1887. It brings together local newspapers across the state, providing training, advocating free press, and honoring excellent work with such awards events as the 139th Con- vention & Awards Dinner, where Hansen was honored on Oct. 3. Hansen also won first place awards for Sports Feature Story and Personality Profile — Short.

He along with publisher Gabriel Cruden and photographer Derek Dobell took second for Front Page Design, and second in Best Headline. Hansen said he started writing for the Statesman-Examiner roughly two years ago. “I started doing layout and freelance. Soon, they wanted more. It was a good deal. I do a lot of freelance writing. I work from home, which lets me work while staying with my two small boys.” Hansen has been working in journalism for approximately 20 years.

He said he graduated from Eastern Washington University, where he started his writing adventure by working for the student newspaper. “I did practically every position there. It was a great experience. I studied journalism and minored in communication.” From there, Hansen worked for several publications. “I worked as a sports editor for a newspaper in Polson, Mont., for about two years. Then I moved to Centralia, Wash., where I was a sports editor for the Centralia Chronicle.

I still do remote writing for them. Then I moved to Chewelah, where I still live now, and I was the editor of the Independent from 2016 through 2021.” Afterwards, when a position as the Regional Economic Development Specialist opened at the Tri-County Economic Development District (TEDD), Hansen took it, working in business services. “But I really never stopped writing and doing freelance,” Hansen said. “I was writing sports (articles) all the while I was at TEDD.” Every week, the Statesman-Examiner’s sports section is filled with Hansen’s articles, in addition to other news stories.

“Writing so many articles every week is a matter of prioritization. Some of what goes into the paper is the luck of the draw. It’s a matter of ‘What do I have time for?’” Speaking about his process for reporting on local high school teams, he said, “Sports writing involves talking to coaches, athletic directors, and community members. All of them locally are excellent contributing to the story. A lot of writing the story has more to do with programs who offer schedules and rosters; a lot of it has to do with people contributing to help me out.” The third place finish is not the first WNPA award that Hansen has received. In 2010, he won the Sports Section of the Year award in Montana.

Individual newspapers are responsible for nominating a writer for the Sports Writer of the Year award. In Hansen’s case, the Statesman-Examiner submitted Hansen for the award. “This award is well-deserved,” said Gabriel Cruden, Statesman-Examiner publisher and owner. “Brandon’s dedication and enthusiasm for sports, combined with his skills and constancy as a writer and photographer, is a winning formula. We are very glad to have him on our team.” Hansen said of his award, “It feels good to be honored. The WNPA conference happens every year, and it’s a nice way to talk with like-minded people, with smalltown journalists. It’s great to see what other people around the state are doing.” He said this year’s conference in Everett consisted of workshops and seminars as well as an awards dinner. Hansen said sports writing is so much more than simple stats.

“I have done it since living in Montana, covering community teams. Writing about small-town sports is highlighting these towns.” He added that local sports can be cyclical. “As the years pass, I am now covering coaches that I had covered when they were players. I look forward to covering their kids.” For Hansen, winning this award is also a tribute to writers who have come before him. “My inspiration for sports writing comes from Chris Rader, who passed away, who was the sports writer before me at the Statesman-Examiner. He put in a lot of work and a lot of hours. This award has a lot to do with Chris and his commitment to sports stories. He was a joy to be on the sidelines with and talk to about sports.