The Best of Cox contest was for work published in 2002. Cox Newspapers are located in, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Ohio and Texas.

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.

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.

A $1,000 prize is awarded in each category.

The Best of Cox Awards began in 1988, had a two-year hiatus in 1991-92, and resumed in 1993.
Michael Schwartz, manager of newsroom training for Cox Newspapers, is Best of Cox coordinator. Tom Bennett is Best of Cox administrator. Patty Dontje is Best of Cox administrative assistant.

This year’s print judges were Ronnie Agnew, The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger; Linda Austin, formerly of the Greensboro (N.C.) News & Record; Julie Busby, The Philadelphia Inquirer; Richard Luna, The Indianapolis Star; John X. Miller, The Detroit Free Press; David Ng, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger; Bruce Potter, Media General; and Jan Winburn, The Baltimore Sun.

This year’s visual judges were Lucy Bartholomay, The Boston Globe; Dudley Brooks, The Washington Post; Naomi Halperin, The (Allentown, Pa.) Morning Call; and Sara Quinn, The Poynter Institute.

There were 545 entries in the 2003 contest.