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“I specifically cover sports because it provides a different avenue to tackle difficult interpersonal situations,” White wrote in his application essay. “I strive to pursue thought-provoking stories that view sports as if it sits at a junction with society, culture, and emotion while also providing a forward-thinking approach to the game and news work this job entails.”
In the summer of 2025, White was a sports desk intern at The Buffalo News, where he produced short and long form features, profiles, and enterprise stories. During his internship, two of his pieces received recognition in the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) contest. White now serves as the president of the ASPE UF chapter, organizing all chapter meetings and events.
ESPN MLB insider Jeff Passan and his family established this award in 2026 to honor Rich Passan, a longtime print and broadcast journalist who spent 41 years at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, Ohio. Although his work spanned all sports, he was best known for his Passin’ the Puck hockey column and his musings on the Cleveland Browns, about whom he wrote until the months preceding his passing in May 2024.
“We’re thrilled to launch the Rich Passan Sports Writing Scholarship with Noah as its first recipient. His journalistic accomplishments are extraordinary for a student still completing his degree,” said National Press Club President Mark Schoeff Jr. “We thank the Passan family for creating an opportunity that will benefit exceptional young sports reporters like Noah for years to come.”
National Press Club scholarships are administered by the Institute, the non-profit affiliate of the Club. Support our student-focused programming with a donation today.
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