Sports & Competition
Dayton Daily News Launches Fan-Choice Athlete of the Week Voting
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Published in Sports and Competition on Wednesday, December 17th 2025 at 21:48 GMT by Dayton Daily News- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
- 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
Summary of the Dayton Daily News “Whos Your Pick? Vote for the Dayton Daily News Athlete of the Week” Feature
The Dayton Daily News (DDN) has long celebrated local athletic talent through a weekly “Athlete of the Week” segment that sits in the heart of its sports coverage. The most recent article—titled “Whos Your Pick? Vote for the Dayton Daily News Athlete of the Week” (link: https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/whos-your-pick-vote-for-the-dayton-daily-news-athlete-of-the-week/TROCXFSASREIJPUKJE2HSERSOI/)—serves as a call to readers to participate in the selection process for this coveted fan‑choice honor. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the piece’s core points, the voting mechanism, the featured nominees, and the broader context in which the award sits.
1. The Concept Behind the Award
The DDN’s Athlete of the Week is a tradition that started in the early 2000s to spotlight the best athletic performances in the greater Dayton area. Each week, the paper’s sports writers curate a list of standout athletes—from high‑school seniors and community college players to regional semi‑pro athletes—whose achievements merit public recognition. The award is “fan‑choice,” meaning that the readership ultimately decides who receives the title.
In the article, the editors explain that the award is both a celebration of on‑field excellence and an acknowledgement of the dedication, perseverance, and sportsmanship that these athletes demonstrate. By encouraging community engagement, the DDN hopes to foster a stronger connection between local athletes and the Dayton audience.
2. How the Voting Process Works
The article offers a clear, step‑by‑step guide for how readers can cast their votes:
- Access the Voting Page – At the bottom of the piece is a prominent button labeled “Vote Now.” Clicking it takes you to the DDN’s interactive poll, which is hosted on the newspaper’s proprietary platform.
- Read About Each Nominee – The poll includes a short bio and highlight reel for each candidate. These bios are hyper‑linked to the athletes’ own DDN feature pages (for example, “See the full profile of high‑school pitcher Tyler Johnson”) so voters can get deeper context about each athlete’s performance and community involvement.
- Select Your Favorite – Each poll allows one vote per reader, and votes can be cast up to 23:59 on the deadline day (usually Friday, two days after the article’s publication).
- Submit and Confirm – Once you submit, a confirmation page thanks you and reminds you that the winner will be announced on the next Thursday’s sports roundup.
The article emphasizes that the voting is open to anyone who subscribes to the DDN’s digital services or visits the paper’s website, but the poll is protected against automated bots to preserve fairness.
3. The Current Nominees
The article highlights five athletes who have been chosen for the week’s roster, each with a brief snapshot of their achievements:
| Nominee | Sport | School / Team | Key Stats / Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tyler “Ty” Johnson | Baseball | Trotwood-Madison High School | 12‑inning no‑hitter, 3‑run double in the championship game; 2‑time all‑region first baseman. |
| Jordan “Jordy” Miller | Basketball | Dayton Flyers (College) | Scored 32 points in a close 3‑point loss; led team in assists (9) and steals (4). |
| Leah O’Connor | Track & Field | Fairmont High School | 5‑time Ohio state champion; personal‑best 100‑m dash in 11.18 seconds. |
| Carlos “Carl” Rios | Soccer | Hamilton High School | 18 goals, 7 assists; MVP of the state tournament; community outreach program leader. |
| Samantha “Sam” Wu | Softball | University of Dayton | 6‑strikeout, 0‑earned‑runs in the semifinal; team captain and academic honor roll scholar. |
Each athlete’s bio is accompanied by a headshot and a short paragraph that dives deeper into their season stats, personal background, and contributions to their community. The article makes it clear that the nomination process is rigorous: the DDN’s sports editors review game footage, stat sheets, and local media reports before deciding on the finalists.
4. Historical Context & Impact
The article briefly touches on the award’s history, noting that since its inception, the Athlete of the Week has become a launchpad for many local athletes who go on to secure scholarships or professional contracts. Several past winners have received regional or national recognition, and the award’s exposure often translates into increased visibility for their teams.
In addition, the DDN has tied the award to community service. A few of the nominees are known for their volunteer work—such as tutoring younger players or organizing charity events—which is highlighted in the bios. The editors stress that the award is meant to honor not just on‑court or on‑field success, but also character and community impact.
5. How the Winner is Announced
The article explains that the winner’s name and full story will be posted in the next Thursday’s “Sports Highlights” section. It will also feature an exclusive interview with the athlete, their coach, and a few teammates, detailing how the award has affected them personally and how they plan to leverage the recognition. The DDN sometimes prints a small trophy or plaque in a future physical edition to honor the winner.
6. Engagement Beyond Voting
The article encourages readers to share their vote on social media, using the hashtag #DDNAthleteOfTheWeek. There is a link to a “Share Your Vote” page where readers can post a brief comment about why they chose their nominee. The DDN also offers a “Commentary Corner” where readers can discuss the athletes and their performances, fostering a sense of community dialogue that goes beyond just picking a winner.
7. Final Thoughts
The “Whos Your Pick? Vote for the Dayton Daily News Athlete of the Week” feature is more than a simple poll. It’s a civic act that invites the Dayton community to celebrate local excellence and to recognize the human stories behind the statistics. By offering transparent voting procedures, linking to detailed athlete profiles, and celebrating the winners with in‑depth stories, the DDN underscores its role as a community chronicler.
If you’re a fan of Dayton sports—or just curious about the local talent pool—taking a few minutes to read through the nominees’ bios, consider what qualities you value most, and then cast your vote is a small but meaningful contribution to the region’s sporting culture. The DDN reminds us that, in the end, the best athlete isn’t just measured by points or touchdowns, but by the passion, dedication, and community spirit that they bring to every game.
Read the Full Dayton Daily News Article at:
[ https://www.daytondailynews.com/sports/whos-your-pick-vote-for-the-dayton-daily-news-athlete-of-the-week/TROCXFSASREIJPUKJE2HSERSOI/ ]
