LATROBE, Pa. – Award-winning journalist John Sacco was honored as the 2025 recipient of the Dow Carnahan Media Award. The presentation took place in accordance with the annual Presidents' Athletic Conference Football Media Day, which was hosted by Saint Vincent College in Westmoreland County for a 18th consecutive time.
Carnahan, a longtime supporter and friend of the PAC, passed away unexpectedly on April 29, 2016. The award is presented annually to a distinguished member of the media or on-campus representative for his or her commendable service while covering and promoting the conference's student-athletes, coaches and programs.
Currently a freelance writer who also writes for harness racing magazines and related online services, Sacco has worked for the Observer-Reporter in Washington, Pa., who he still provides articles for today, as well as the Pittsburgh Sports Report from 1998-2006. His career also includes being a Steel Reporter for American Metal Market LLC and a Public Relations/Communications Specialist for the Canon-McMillan School District. In addition to his journalism work, Sacco also does work as a color analyst for WJPA radio in Washington.
Sacco was inducted into the Washington-Greene County Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame in 2010 and served as President of the Chapter from Nov. 2021-Sept. 2023. His award-winning work in journalism includes five Keystone Press Award for Outstanding Journalism in Pennsylvania, two Golden Quill Awards for Distinguished Achievement in Journalism in Western Pennsylvania and seven other Golden Quill nominations. Sacco also earned an Editorial Medal of Excellence Award and was selected as one of the three top wrestling writers in the nation by Wrestling USA Magazine in 1991.
Sacco has been heavily involved in the Washington County community. The athletic director in the Monessen School District from 2005-12, he was the Tri-County Athletic Director's Association Athletic Director of the Year in 2010. Sacco is also a past President of the Tri-County Athletic Director's Association, was the official scorer for the Washington Wild Things and coached baseball at the youth, high school and college levels for 30 years.
