PGN has once again earned a prestigious award from the Society of Professional Journalists in recognition of art director and photographer Scott A. Drake’s sports photograph, titled “Almost Home.”
Drake, who has worked at PGN since 2008, will receive a SPJ Sigma Delta Chi Award in the Sports Photography category. The contest, established in 1932, was open to all media outlets across the country and recognizes excellence in print, radio, television and other media.
“I’m always amazed and humbled by any recognition; whether it’s an award or a mention by someone in the community or even sometimes when I just realize the scope of Philadelphia LGBTQ history that I’ve been honored to cover.” said Drake. “To be able to do something you love, to love the work you get to do, is something very special.”
This is Drake’s second award for his photography this year. His photograph “Crash Landing,” received second place in the PA NewsMedia Association’s Keystone Press Awards for sports photography.
Drake will be formally recognized for his achievement at the Sigma Delta Chi awards banquet June 26 at The National Press Club in Washington D.C.
The image appeared in Drake’s regular sports column “Get Out and Play” in the Oct. 31 issue of PGN. In it, player Matt Simmer is tagged out at home base during the final Fall Ball softball game Oct. 25 in FDR Park. The City of Brotherly Love Softball League championship game was held between the White and Orange teams, with White ultimately winning.
More than just a memorable action shot, the photo also captured the spirit of camaraderie that weekend. For the first time, hundreds of athletes, partners and friends from several different sports teams and organizations gathered to compete. At the time, it was the latest initiative to come from OPAL, the new Our Philadelphia Athletic League, which seeks to bring all the LGBT sports teams under one umbrella to better pool resources and reach a wider audience.
The orange team may have lost, but the LGBT community in Philly won big time.