Beyond humbled to learn earlier today that I was named Sportswriter of the Year for our class (nationally!) as part of @GateHouse_Media's Best of Gatehouse awards. You hope for the best with any contest but never expect to get first place.
Dave Purpura
70.2K posts
Dave Purpura
@dp_dispatch
High school sports reporter, Columbus Dispatch. Columbus native, University of Toledo grad. I could be anywhere in central Ohio or beyond at any given time.
- A 🧵on some personal career news: I am excited to announce I am joining the @DispatchAlerts sports staff as of Jan. 11 to help head up their high school coverage. Big shoes to fill, big responsibilities, but looking forward to this new challenge. (1/)
- OHSAA emailed member schools this evening and confirmed it is operating as if fall sports will occur, meaning practices will begin on August 1 and they will conduct the usual tournaments in 10 fall sports.
- In an age where this country is divided on freaking everything, the widespread support for @Jerry_Snodgrass after yesterday's news is something to behold. Administrators, coaches and fans all speaking out.
- For the first time in 35 years, we have a public school boys state team champion in Division I. Beavercreek wins the title, snapping a long streak for Cincinnati St. Xavier. First public to win it since UA in 1987.
- Shouldn't have to say this but I will. Personal insults are not tolerated on my feed, whether toward me or others. Twitter, social media and the world in general have enough of that elsewhere.
- The formation of the new Ohio Catholic Athletic Conference was announced moments ago. DeSales, Hartley and Watterson will join up with five northeast Ohio Catholic schools in football only beginning in the fall of 2026, with other sports potentially following later.
- .@PCTigersGirlsBB wins the Division I state championship, 49-45 over Solon. Seventh state title in program history and first since 1999 (and obviously since the split).
- It seriously is not that hard to be quiet during the national anthem. It just isn't.
- Within the next few hours, @ThisWeekDave will be no more ... but this account will remain. I'll just have a new username as I officially move over to @DispatchAlerts as of midnight. I know it's been a good 9 1/2-year run when people greet me as "ThisWeek Dave."
- The Division I, Region 3 final between @NewAlbanyFB and @gahannafootball will be at Historic Crew Stadium, per @napls_athletics. 7 p.m. Friday. @UlreyThisWeek
- And there it is, at 2:30 p.m. Sports can go forward.
- At @hayeshighschool tonight for a special occasion. Ella Margraf, daughter of @DTownPacers girls basketball coach Erin Margraf, recently was declared cancer free after being diagnosed with Burkett's lymphoma in October. Ella was honored before the game.
- .@picknorthsoccer coach Greg Van Kannel stepped down last week after seven seasons in his second stint as Panthers coach and 11 overall. Greg went 180-32-16 overall and 60-5-3 in league play.