Morelli named CT Sportswriter of the Year
Joe Morelli, entering his 30th year in sports journalism, has been named the Connecticut Sportswriter of the Year for 2020 by the National Sports Media Association.
Morelli, respected for his coverage of high school sports and the state golf scene, is a 1989 graduate of Stratford High School.
An integral part of Hearst Connecticut’s high school sports website, GameTimeCT.com, Morelli joined the New Haven Register in 1997.
“All year he has been on the forefront of informing families what is happening with high school sports,” said Dan Brechlin, Managing Editor of Sports for Hearst Connecticut. “He is
one to go the extra step to ensure he is ahead of the curve. He is a go-to for information on the high school sports scene and people have come to expect that. Like others, he has adapted to a challenging year for sportswriters and managed to tell some important stories. He is certainly someone who cares."
A 1993 graduate of the University of Connecticut, Morelli began his career as an intern at the Connecticut Post in 1991-92. He worked at the Milford Citizen from 1993-95, then served as sports editor for Elm City
Newspapers from 1995-97 before joining the New Haven Register.
“Joe cares deeply about high school sports coverage,” Hearst Connecticut Sports Editor Sean Barker said. “He appreciates and respects the legacy of high school sports coverage in Connecticut. He takes pride in carrying on state polls, all-area and all-state teams that date back almost 100 years, but understanding the changing media landscape as a driving force behind our digital coverage on GameTimeCT. His stories and coverage speak for themselves. But what many don’t see is the hard work and dedication Joe puts in behind the scenes, building and maintaining relationships with coaches and athletic directors, organizing all-state photo shoots, dropping off top 10 trophies across the state. He is a tireless worker who wants the very best coverage for student-athletes.”
Morelli is a two-time recipient of the Connecticut Girls Soccer Coaches Association News Media Award. He and his wife, Megan have one son, Patrick.
David Borges, UConn men’s basketball beat writer for Hearst Connecticut, was the 2019 recipient of the award.
Erik Dobratz of WTNH was named the 2020 Connecticut Sportscaster of the Year.