INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – Mike “Mex” Carey, the associate director of athletic communications for men’s basketball at Michigan State University whose timeless advocacy for reporters has made him an essential resource for more than a quarter century, has been named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s Katha Quinn Award winner for 2026. Carey will receive the award on April 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse at a luncheon before the national championship game of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament.
Carey, a 1994 graduate of St. Bonaventure University, is the second recipient associated with the Big Ten conference among 39 that have been honored, joining former commissioner Wayne Duke. Prior to his arrival at Michigan State, Carey spent six years as associate director for athletic communications at St. John’s University and 12 years at Georgetown University, becoming associate athletics director for communications.
Former USBWA board member Gene Wang of the Washington Post remembered, “I’d often hear from Mex … at 2 or 3 in the morning, making sure I didn’t have any questions for my story and that I was all set for the next game.”
USBWA executive director Malcolm Moran cited Carey’s influential role on a committee formed before the 2020-21 basketball season to recommend access policies as universities responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. “At one point,” Moran said, “he expressed regret as he described concerns that the impact of the pandemic would lead Michigan State to take the step of closing its dressing room following games.”
Since 1988, the award has recognized sports information directors, administrators and others that have excelled at servicing the media or provided an inspiration to those in the sports journalism profession. In 1988 a then-unnamed award was presented to Quinn, the Sports Information Director at St. John’s University, in recognition of her extraordinary work overseeing the press operation at the 1987 Pan American Games basketball tournament despite a diagnosis of liver cancer. She passed away in March, 1989, one day before her 35th birthday.
Previous winners, in addition to Duke, include Roger Valdiserri of Notre Dame, Big East commissioner Mike Tranghese, former USBWA executive director Joe Mitch and former NCAA officials Bill Hancock, Tom Jernstedt, Greg Shaheen and Dave Worlock.
"To say that this is one of the great moments of my career is a pretty big understatement,” Carey said. “When I got the call, I was overwhelmed. One of the first stops in my career was at St. John’s, and there, through the legendary Jim O’Connell, I learned of Katha Quinn, her legacy, her work and the relationships she developed with her teams and the media.
“I’ve been blessed to spend more than 25 years of my career at wonderful institutions such as St. John’s, Georgetown and now, Michigan State. There are so many people who have been a big part of my career that I owe a debt of gratitude. It’s truly humbling to have my name associated with Katha Quinn and join the list of honorees.”
The USBWA was formed in 1956 at the urging of then-NCAA Executive Director Walter Byers. With some 800 members worldwide, it is one of the most influential organizations in college basketball. The USBWA has selected an All-America team since the 1956-57 season. For more information on the USBWA and its award programs, contact executive director Malcolm Moran at malcolm@usbwa.com.
ALL-TIME KATHA QUINN AWARD WINNERS
1988: Katha Quinn, St. John’s University
1991: Marvin “Skeeter” Francis, Atlantic Coast Conference
1992: Tom Frericks, University of Dayton
1993: Roger Valdiserri, University of Notre Dame
1994: Marvin “Swede” Johnson, Coors Brewing Co.
1995: George Raveling, Washington State/USC
1996: Rick Brewer, University of North Carolina
1997: Craig Miller and Amy Early, USA Basketball
1998: Al Shrier, Temple University
1999: Bill Hancock, NCAA
2000: Tim Tolokan, University of Connecticut
2001: Mike Tranghese, Big East Conference
2002: Mark Asher, Washington Post
2003: Jack Watkins, Missouri Valley Conference
2004: Jim Marchiony, NCAA
2005: Steve Kirschner, University of North Carolina
2006: Wayne Duke, Big Ten Conference
2007: Joe Mitch, U.S. Basketball Writers Association
2008: Josh Krulewitz and Mike Soltys, ESPN
2009: John Paquette, Big East Conference
2010: Chris Fallon, National Invitation Tournament
2011: Oliver Pierce, Gonzaga University
2012: Kenny Klein, University of Louisville
2013: Greg Shaheen, NCAA
2014: Brian Morrison, Atlantic Coast Conference
2015: Tom Jernstedt, NCAA
2016: David Worlock, NCAA
2017: Bernie Cafarelli, American Athletic Conference
2018: Joe Castiglione, University of Oklahoma
2019: Mike Sheridan, Villanova University
2020: Jim Haney, NABC
2021: Doug Vance, University of Kansas, CoSIDA
2022: Bill Behrns, Loyola University
2023: Chuck Walsh, Florida State University
2024: Doug Tammaro, Arizona State University
2025: Scott McConnell, University of Texas
2026: Mike "Mex" Carey, Michigan State University