EXAMINER BEAT WRITER WINS TOP MEDIA AWARD

May 13, 2010

Bill Althaus Wins 2009-10 CHL Media Services Award
Missouri Mavericks Beat Writer Wins Top Media Award

The Central Hockey League (CHL) announced today that Bill Althaus, Independence Examiner beat writer for the Missouri Mavericks, has been named the winner of the 2009-10 Central Hockey League Media Services Award. The award, given for just the second time, is ‘Presented annually to the media member that has provided outstanding service to and coverage of the CHL while helping to further the recognition of the league’s brand’.

Born in Independence, Missouri, Althaus put his spin on the CHL expansion team last summer with stories detailing the Mavericks planting roots in the community all the way to opening night and covering the team with great stories throughout the regular season and playoffs. Althaus found ways during the season to paint the picture of the team not only on the ice, where they qualified for the post-season in their first year, but off the ice as well with personal pieces taking fans inside the lives of head coach Scott Hillman and many of the team’s veteran core players including player/assistant coach Jeff Christian and his family’s fight against his daughter’s illness.

“Fans of the Mavericks were taken inside the locker room by Bill and his writing,” said Duane Lewis, CHL Commissioner. “That connection between team and their fans is so important and in Missouri this has begun so feverishly, and looks to be set for a very long run and Bill is a big reason for this. If you have read his work you can understand why he has been chosen as the recipient of this award. We all appreciate the positive way in which he portrayed the team and the league.”

Althaus has been with the Examiner for close to three decades (28 years) covering all the major sports in the Kansas City area including the 1985 World Series season of the Kansas City Royals. Along with currently covering the Mavericks, Althaus pens the stories for all of the Independence and surrounding area high school sports. He is also a published author writing a total of nine books covering the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and the University of Missouri sports teams. See catalog of published books HERE.

“Bill has been a great ambassador for the Mavericks and the Central Hockey League here in Independence,” said Patrick Armstrong, Mavericks’ Vice President of Communication. “I can’t think of a better individual, both as a person and a writer, to cover the Mavericks’ inaugural season.”

The journalist now resides in Blue Springs, Missouri with his wife Stacy and he has two sons, Sean and Zach.