BY CHRISTOPHER BOAN
A stalwart member of the Associated Press Sports Editors is officially a member of the group’s leadership core, as Tony Maluso of the Baltimore Sun Media Group will succeed Ed Reed as Third Vice President.
The third VP is elected to a two-year term in even-numbered years. Only members from news organizations in the C and D contest divisions are eligible to vote for Third Vice President. Maluso’s term will begin June 22, the final day of APSE’s summer conference in Charlotte, N.C.
Maluso beat out Patrick Obley of The Daily Sun to become APSE’s newest third VP, seven years after the Ohio native joined APSE when he was the sports editor of the Dalton (Ga.) Daily Citizen-News, where he worked from 2015-18.
Maluso’s path toward APSE membership got a boost from a venerable legend within the organization, with Tommy Deas helping to get Maluso on board in 2017.
“I’ve been an APSE member since 2017, when a friend introduced me to then-president Tommy Deas, who gave me the ultimate sales pitch to join: ‘You should join,’ ” Maluso joked. “A month later I attended my first winter conference. I have attended four winter conferences and have judged every contest since I joined, either in-person or remotely.”
In a recent “Meet the candidates” post, Maluso said he’d like to get more newspapers from APSE’s two smallest divisions (C & D) to take part in the yearly competition, which would help the group expand its reach across the country.
Maluso also made a pitch to sports editors within those divisions to elect him as a voice for the industry’s smaller publications — gaining feedback to build an APSE that better reflects the current state of sports journalism.
“One thing I believe we can do is offer more chances for feedback to smaller and prospective members. I would look into creating a program where smaller papers can have their content reviewed and critiqued by veteran APSE members,” Maluso said.
“In the past, contest judges of Category D entries provided notes on the submissions. As someone who came up through smaller newsrooms, I know that receiving feedback can be even more valuable than a top-10 placing for those looking to improve their content.”
Maluso called his newest role with APSE a dream come true.
“It’s very humbling to have my colleagues choose me for this position,” Maluso said. “To have them recognize the work I’ve done with my staffs at various spots among all the other factors that go into electing a representative is quite an honor, and I hope I do them proud.”
His top goal as third VP is to serve as a beacon for those that feel left out of the picture of sports journalism in 2024, shaping the organization into a body that leaves every member feeling they have a voice.
“APSE has meant so much to my growth in the industry. I’ve taken so much from the officers that are currently at the front table and have been throughout my time with the organization, I hope I can serve that same role for the next generation coming in,” Maluso added. “I look forward to now being in a spot to give back to APSE.”
