Paola Boivin, a trailblazing female voice in sports media and the first female journalist inducted into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame, is the Association for Women in Sports Media’s 2026 recipient of the Mary Garber Pioneer Award. 

The AWSM Pioneer award has been presented since 1999 to trailblazers and role models who have paved the way for women in sports media. These individuals have distinguished themselves in the industry while reflecting and advancing the mission of AWSM. The award was named in 2006 for Garber, one of the industry’s original pioneers. Recipients include Pam Oliver, Doris Burke, Andrea Kremer, Christine Brennan, Claire Smith and Lesley Visser. 

Boivin is a distinguished sports journalist, author, and professor, and she was an award-winning columnist during her years at The Arizona Republic (1994–2017). She now serves as a Professor of Practice at ASU's Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and is director of the highly regarded Cronkite News Phoenix Sports Bureau.

"This award means everything to me,” Boivin said. “AWSM was my inspirational speaker when I needed it, my therapist when I required it, my much-needed best friend when I was among the small group of women on the frontlines of sports journalism. 

"Although the acceptance of women in sports media has evolved in a positive way, challenges remain, and AWSM is as important as ever."

Before joining ASU, Boivin wrote for the LA Daily News and was a columnist at The Arizona Republic for more than 20 years, covering major sporting events and sharing her insightful commentary and game analysis. Her work earned “Top 10” awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors, the highest honor for print journalists. 

Boivin also served as president of AWSM, and she continues to mentor women who are aspiring to be sports journalists. Boivin and her husband Jay have two children, Jesse and Shane.

"What hasn’t Paola Boivin done?” commented Christine Brennan, AWSM’s first president and a distinguished sports journalist.  “Paola has been a trailblazing and award-winning sports columnist and feature writer, a professor, a mentor, a TV and radio commentator and AWSM president. She has touched the lives of hundreds of future journalists and thousands of devoted readers. She is the best of us."

Boivin’s career spans 40 years and a wide range of work: sports radio, newspaper reporting and commentary, four years on the College Football Selection Committee, and a mentor to the next generation. Her breadth of experience makes her an expert on topics related to sports and the intersection of society.  She has taught sports ethics and is tuned into the impact of social media and the relationships among journalists, athletes and fans.

AWSM will honor Boivin at an upcoming event.

Mary Garber, for whom the Pioneer award is named, began her trailblazing sports journalism career in 1944, when men were called to the armed forces and she was tapped to be a sports editor in North Carolina. She went on to become the first woman to win the Red Smith Award, given by the Associated Press Sports Editors to someone who has made major contributions to sports journalism.

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