INDIANAPOLIS (USBWA) – In recognition of her long service to the game of women’s basketball, Rose DiPaula, Director of Strategic Communications and Content Development at the University of Maryland, has been named the U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s Mary Jo Haverbeck Award winner for 2025.
The award is presented annually to recognize those in women’s college basketball who have rendered a special service to the USBWA and sportswriters who cover college basketball. It is named after the late Mary Jo Haverbeck, the longtime women’s sports communications director at Penn State who passed away in January 2014. The award pays tribute to Haverbeck for her pioneering and visionary work as one of the first women to work in the sports communication profession.
DiPaula has served at Maryland, her alma mater, since January 2011. She currently oversees daily media operations for the nationally-recognized women’s basketball, men's and women’s golf teams and the departments academics and Maryland Made career development units. In her role with these Terrapin teams, DiPaula oversees all communications strategy, social media, messaging and publicity for these respective programs.
DiPaula will be presented the Haverbeck Award at the 2025 NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Final Four in Tampa during the USBWA awards brunch on Friday, April 4.
Early on, DiPaula established social media accounts (started the Instagram and X/Twitter accounts) for the national championship women’s basketball and field hockey teams, and they are among the top in their respective sports with engagements.
"During my time covering women's college basketball, Rose has been amongst the most accommodating sports communications folks I've ever worked with. She was incredibly helpful to me during one of my book projects about high school basketball on Maryland's Eastern Shore, and she makes covering the Terps smooth and uncomplicated for reporters like me,” noted Mitchell Northam, USBWA Women's Board member and SB Nation Senior Writer. “When it comes to storytelling about Brenda Frese and the Maryland players, Rose is responsive and always willing to lend a hand. Her professionalism is unmatched."
In addition to her sports communications and athletic administrative duties, DiPaula became an adjunct professor in Maryland’s Phillip Merrill College of Journalism in the spring of 2017, teaching upper-level elective sports media classes.
“Rose has kept reporters informed about Maryland’s success in a personal way that is reminiscent of what Mary Jo did at Penn State, but with all the innovation of the digital era,” noted USBWA Executive Director Malcolm Moran. “In addition to creating Instagram and X/Twitter accounts that quickly grew into an industry standard, Rose has helped local, regional and national writers learn about her athletes through her responsiveness, access, energy and ideas. Her student-centered approach has also benefited students taking her advanced sports media classes in the Merrill College of Journalism. Mary Jo would be pleased and proud to share this special professional connection.”
DiPaula graduated from Maryland in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Two years later, she joined the Terrapin athletic department as assistant director of media relations, retaining that role for nine years before being promoted to associate director for three years. She then was promoted to her current role in August 2022.
“I am extremely honored to receive this prestigious award, named after such a highly respected leader in our field, Mary Jo Haverbeck,” said DiPaula. “Looking at the list of past recipients, I am beyond honored to be in their company. I am passionate about sharing the stories of our student-athletes and coaches and I am grateful to them for allowing me to do this for over 15 years. I appreciate all of our media friends that have worked so hard over the years to cover our athletes and programs, and am forever grateful to the many mentors and colleagues that have helped me in countless ways.”
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. It 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.
USBWA MARY JO HAVERBECK AWARD WINNERS
2015: Sue Donohoe, NCAA
2016: Caroline Williams, USA Basketball
2017: Barb Kowal, College Sports Information Directors of America (now College Sports Communicators)
2018: Danielle Donehew, Women’s Basketball Coaches Association
2019: Nora Lynn Finch, Atlantic Coast Conference
2020: Harry Perretta, Villanova University
2021: No recipient selected
2022: Debby Jennings, University of Tennessee, USA Basketball
2023: Lindy Brown, Duke University
2024: Rick Nixon, NCAA
2025: Rose DiPaula, University of Maryland