Deseret News sports writer Dirk Facer has been named Utah Sportswriter of the Year for the third straight time.
Facer, who has been at the News 16 years, also won the award for the 2008 and 2007 calendar years. The honor is decided by vote of contemporaries in the Utah print and electronic media. Awards will be presented May 1-3 in Salisbury, N.C. Facer was honored by the Utah Society of Professional Journalists with a first-place writing award in 1998 for breaking the story that Karl Malone would be named NBA Most Valuable Player. He also won a first place in 2004 for a game story on a Utah vs. Air Force football game.
He has been honored with a distinguished service award from the Utah High School Activities Association. Facer began his career at the Davis County Clipper before moving on to the News. He is beginning his eighth year as University of Utah football beat writer.