There were 572 entries, eclipsing last year's record of 498.

For purposes of the contest, the Metro Division consists of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Austin American Statesman, Dayton Daily News, Palm Beach Post and the Cox Washington Bureau.

For the contest, the Community Division is comprised of the Elizabeth City Daily Advance; Grand Junction Daily Sentinel; Greenville Daily Reflector; Hamilton Journal-News; Longview News-Journal; Lufkin Daily News; Marshall News Messenger; Middletown Journal; Nacogdoches Daily Sentinel; Palm Beach Daily News; Rocky Mount Telegram; Springfield News-Sun; and Waco Tribune-Herald.

The contest was for work in calendar 2001. Winners in categories 1-17, and winners in Writer and Photographer of the year, each receive $1000.

The Best of Cox Awards began in 1988, had a two-year hiatus in 1991-92, and resumed in 1993. Mike Schwartz, manager of newsroom training for Cox Newspapers, is Best of Cox coordinator and Tom Bennett served as Best of Cox administrator for the tenth year.