April 5, 2024 – The Charlotte Hornets Foundation tonight announced that Shelby Swanson, a journalism student at the University of North Carolina, has been selected as the third recipient of the annual Rick Bonnell Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, which awards $10,000 annually to a journalism student enrolled at a North Carolina college or university, was created to honor the legacy and impact of late Charlotte Observer Hornets beat writer Rick Bonnell. Shelby was announced as the winner in an on-court presentation during tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic, where she was joined by Bonnell’s children, Claire and Jack.
“We are excited to award this year’s Rick Bonnell Memorial Scholarship to Shelby Swanson,” said Hornets Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility & Charlotte Hornets Foundation Executive Director Betsy Mack. “We had so many deserving applicants this year, and our review panel – including Rick’s children, Claire and Jack – recognized that Shelby’s passion and drive reflected that shown by Rick during his decorated career. Shelby has already accomplished so much in her journalism endeavors, and we are excited to see what she accomplishes in the years ahead.”
Shelby currently serves as the sports editor at UNC’s student newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel. She is particularly drawn to sharing stories about sports and culture from a female perspective and exploring narratives that transcend conventional boundaries. In her application, Shelby shared that a story she wrote for one of her journalism classes about the ranges of femininity seen in women’s basketball evolved into a 1,300-word multi-sectioned narrative on the front page of the Raleigh News & Observer sports section. Following her graduation, she plans to pursue a career in journalism and continue telling sports stories that go “beyond the box score” and “amplify voices and stories that often go unnoticed.”
“We are thrilled for Shelby to be this year’s recipient of the Rick Bonnell Memorial Scholarship,” said Claire and Jack Bonnell. “She embodies the genuine love and excitement for journalism that our father had. We are so appreciative of the Charlotte Hornets Foundation for helping to keep our father’s memory alive, and we look forward to following Shelby as she shares powerful stories for years to come.”
Also tonight, the Hornets announced that forward Brandon Miller was selected as the winner of the 2023-24 Rick Bonnell Award, which is given annually to a Hornets player that best represents himself and the franchise with professionalism and cooperation in his interactions with the media. Miller received the award during an on-court presentation prior to tonight’s game. A 16-person panel of Charlotte media members voted on the award, with Miller receiving half of the votes.
Bonnell, an award-winning sportswriter for more than 33 years at the Charlotte Observer whose coverage of the Hornets spanned from the franchise’s inaugural 1988-89 season through the 2020-21 campaign, passed away on June 1, 2021, at the age of 63.