The National Press Club has chosen Noah White of West Hartford, Connecticut, as the inaugural recipient of its Rich Passan Sports Writing Scholarship. The $5,000 award is given to an undergraduate college student who demonstrates excellence in sports journalism.
White, a rising senior at the University of Florida, impressed the judges with his exemplary journalism portfolio, tireless work ethic, and professional experience, which includes covering Florida football and basketball at The Miami Herald while managing a 20-student sports magazine start-up and full-time coursework.
“I specifically cover sports because it provides a different avenue to tackle difficult interpersonal situations,” White wrote in his application essay. “I strive to pursue thought-provoking stories that view sports as if it sits at a junction with society, culture, and emotion while also providing a forward-thinking approach to the game and news work this job entails.”
In the summer of 2025, White was a sports desk intern at The Buffalo News, where he produced short and long form features, profiles, and enterprise stories. During his internship, two of his pieces received recognition in the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) contest. White now serves as the president of the ASPE UF chapter, organizing all chapter meetings and events.
“Noah is one of the brightest young talents we have here in UF’s College of Journalism,” said UF Sports Journalism Lecturer Ryan Hunt in a recommendation letter. “He’s already adept in story ideation, news judgment, feature writing, and composing quick, clean copy on deadline. In my opinion, he’s just scratching the surface of his potential.”
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan and his family established this award in 2026 to honor Rich Passan, a longtime print and broadcast journalist who spent 41 years at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. Although his work spanned all sports, he was best known for his Passin’ the Puck hockey column and his musings on the Cleveland Browns, about whom he wrote until the months preceding his passing in May 2024.
“We’re thrilled to launch the Rich Passan Sports Writing Scholarship with Noah as its first recipient. His accomplishments — APSE-recognized work, a student magazine he helped build from the ground up, and professional sports coverage — are extraordinary for a student still completing his degree,” said National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. “We thank the Passan family for creating an opportunity that will benefit exceptional young sports reporters like Noah for years to come.”
The scholarship is open to rising college juniors and seniors who demonstrate outstanding sportswriting skills and a strong interest in a sports journalism career. Applicants must submit several samples of their sports writing, along with a short essay, resume, and other requirements.
In addition to funding, scholarship winners are awarded one-year complimentary membership to the National Press Club. National Press Club scholarships are administered by its nonprofit affiliate, the National Press Club Journalism Institute. Support the Institute’s student-focused programming with a donation today.
For press inquiries or questions about the National Press Club scholarship programs, contact Holly Butcher Grant with the National Press Club Journalism Institute at [email protected].
About the Institute
The National Press Club Journalism Institute promotes First Amendment values by equipping journalists in Washington, D.C., and nationwide with the skills, knowledge, standards, resources and networks to empower and inform the public. The Institute is the nonprofit affiliate of the National Press Club.
About the Club
Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world’s leading professional organization for journalists. With 3,000 members from nearly every leading news organization, the Club is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.