For 10 years the USA Today High School Sports Awards has been celebrating the best student athletes across the country and right here in Volusia and Flagler Counties the Daytona Beach edition has become one of the most anticipated events of the year.
This episode we sit down with Chris Vinel, sports editor with USA Today and the Daytona Beach News-Journal, to talk about what makes this event so special and why it continues to grow year after year. We dive into how student athletes are selected, what the nomination and voting process looks like, and what it means for a young athlete in our community to be recognized on this kind of stage. Chris also shares some of the most memorable moments from this years effort of putting this event together and what it truly means to celebrate these kids and the hard work they put in every single day. This is more than just an awards show.
It is a celebration of excellence, character, and the future of sports in our community. If you have a student athlete, coach, parent or fan in Volusia or Flagler County this is an episode you do not want to miss.
Key Topics:
Selection process for finalists and winners
Community impact of high school sports
Memorable moments from recent awards Role of sports in community pride
Sound Bites:
"It's our version of the Grammys or the Espy's."
"Follow us on social media for the latest updates."
"Baseball was the sport I was halfway decent at."
About the Guest & the High School Sports Awards:
Chris Vinel is the Sports Editor for the Daytona Beach News-Journal and USA Today, where he has built a reputation as one of the most connected voices in local and regional sports coverage. A Miami University graduate with degrees in Journalism and Sports Leadership and Management, Chris covers 25 high schools, four colleges, and the Daytona Tortugas while also producing feature stories, breaking news, and in-depth analysis for both the News-Journal and USA Today. His work has been featured across major platforms including Sports Illustrated, Golfweek, and Yahoo Sports. Chris also co-hosts a weekly video series during high school football season and is the driving force behind the Volusia-Flagler Athlete of the Week program, which shines a much-deserved spotlight on the incredible student athletes in our community. He is also one of the key organizers behind the USA Today High School Sports Awards here in Daytona Beach, now in its 10th year.
The USA Today High School Sports Awards is one of the largest and most prestigious high school athletic recognition programs in the country. Produced by the USA TODAY Network, the program celebrates standout student athletes, coaches, and teams across hundreds of communities nationwide. Each local edition runs as a nine-month program that tracks and highlights nominees throughout every sports season before culminating in a premier live awards show where winners are revealed and special honors are presented. This episode focuses on the Volusia-Flagler (Fl.) High School Sports Awards. Produced by the Daytona Beach News-Journal, the program shines a spotlight on the best athletes, coaches, and teams across Volusia and Flagler Counties.
About the Host:
James Blasco is a CTA Certified Coach, and a Certified Functional Mental Toughness and Resilience coach, and a Certified Neuroscience Coach based in Ormond Beach, Florida, with a rich background in sales, media, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, James has excelled in sales and sales coaching for some of the largest media companies, owned three successful businesses, and worked in media relations in the NFL. His diverse experiences have equipped him with a deep understanding of leadership, communication, and the drive needed to achieve success. James is also trained specifically to coach to all aspects of mental toughness and resilience.
Resources:
Website: www.chargeforwardcoaching.com
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/chargeforwardcoaching/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChargeForwardCoaching/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chargeforwardcoaching
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChargeForwardCoaching
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/ChargeForwardCoaching
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ChargeForwardCoaching
Guest/Event Resources:
Tickets to Event: https://localiqevents.com/high-school-sports-awards-1
Websites:
www.news-journalonline.com Website:
www.USAToday.com
Instagram: @Chris_Vinel
