Mark Woodhams, director of student media at the University of Arizona

Michael Schwartz is probably one of the most experienced college sports writers in the country. He spent all four years of his college career working at the Daily Wildcat and covering everything from tennis to basketball. Just this year he placed first in our SPJ region for sports column writing.

Probably his crowning achievement was taking the lead on covering the curious saga this year of Arizona's legendary basketball coach Lute Olson. Olson stepped down unexpectedly on the eve of the season, taking a year's unexplained absence. He refused to talk about it. He later filed for divorce -- and the divorce became and is very messy. The team, loaded with talent and high expectations, struggled under an interim coach and his style of play. There were defections, turmoil. After months of silence Olson reappeared and announced he was back. Throughout all this, Schwartz found himself covering not just the sport of basketball, but a divorce and the rapid decline of a proud and renowned basketball program. For his work, he received the UA journalism department's "courage in journalism" award this year.

Allison Hornick, editor-in-chief for The Arizona Daily Wildcat

Michael is by far the top reporter at our newspaper this year. He has put an immense amount of passion and dedication into his work this past year and has constantly proven that sports writing is more than game recaps and previews.

Working constantly on the Lute Olson story, Michael stood out not only for the countless number of hours he put in, but also because it is a very sensitive subject that the athletic department at the school was and is trying very hard to keep from reporters. Michael was not afraid to ask the tough questions, be persistent and stay on top of the story.

Well under 6 feet tall, he plays much bigger – both in journalism and in basketball, whether in intramural games or “posterizing” hapless colleagues on our newsroom mini-hoop.

Source | The Arizona Daily Wildcat
When Jawann McClellan's phone rang around 7:30 yesterday morning with the message to meet in the locker room in 45 minutes, the UA senior guard thought something had happened to one of his teammates.

Source | The Arizona Daily Wildcat
While Lute Olson takes the season off on a personal leave of absence, he will be paid as if he were still coaching the Arizona men's basketball team, at least for now.

Source | The Arizona Daily Wildcat
Lute Olson has always conducted himself with impeccable class, earning a reputation as a hard worker and one of the best coaches in college basketball history.

Source | The Arizona Daily Wildcat
The football and men's basketball programs drive the financial ship that is the Arizona athletics department, even when they encounter choppy waters associated with first-round NCAA Tournament losses and nine straight bowl-less seasons.