Brainerd Dispatch Sports Editor Mike Bialka was one of two recipients of the Minnesota State High School League's Outstanding Media Service Award that was presented at the state boys' basketball tournament on Saturday at Target Center.
This is the third year for the MSHSL's Outstanding Media Service Award recognizing excellence and commitment in the coverage of high school activities.
"For nearly four decades, Mike has provided excellence in his coverage of high school activities," said Tim Leighton, MSHSL communications coordinator. "He has shared the stories and journeys of thousands of high school participants and created a legacy that few Minnesota journalists can match. The MSHSL is proud to honor Mike for his many years of service."
Bialka, a Brainerd High School and St. Cloud State University graduate, joined the Dispatch staff in 1978 after starting his journalism career at the Crookston Times.
"Mike is so deserving of this award," said Charlie Campbell, BHS activities director. "Mike's long tenure at the Dispatch is admirable. More noteworthy, however, is the quality of his work over those many years. It has been said of organizations and institutions that 'those who tell the stories perpetuate the culture.'
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"Well, Mike has affirmed the value of Warrior Athletics through the countless stories of Warriors and their teams past and present. Our coaching staff is grateful for his good work, as are the thousands of people here and across the globe who stay in connected to our school and community through his words."
One of those long-time Warrior coaches is Ron Stolski with the Brainerd football program.
"I can't think of a more deserving recipient than Mike," Stolski said. "For many years, Mike and I have roamed the (football) sidelines with each of us having our own duty and the same goal in mind-doing what is right for the participants, home or foe.
"Mike's particular skill, one that marks his talent, is that he not only reports faithfully and correctly, but that his editorial pieces are filled with the insight and warmth that reaches beyond just reporting. They reach the very soul of the subject-the compelling 'story within the story.' That's a special talent that only the great ones possess."
Lowell Scearcy has been Brainerd varsity baseball coach since 1973 when Bialka was a senior pitcher for the Warriors.
"I remember Mike as an eager 17-year-old who could throw hard," Scearcy said. "I later followed Mike throughout his (SCSU) college baseball career, and I was pleased to hear that he had chosen to come back home to Brainerd. Besides being a great sports writer, Mike has always been a great booster of the Brainerd schools, and in particular, Warrior athletics.
"We, here in Brainerd, enjoy wonderful sports coverage, largely due to Mike, his staff, and their efforts. It will indeed be a sad day for the coaches when Mike decides to retire. I hope that doesn't happen until after I'm done coaching."
Bialka represented the print media for this year's MSHSL honor while the second award recipient, Craig Olson of Fergus Falls, represented the electronic media as a radio reporter.
