Ryan Deal has been named the South Dakota Sportswriter of the Year for 2024, the National Sports Media Association announced Tuesday.

A Timber Lake native, Deal is now a five-time recipient of the award, also winning it from 2017-19 and ‘22. 

As sports editor, Deal manages and produces daily content for 605sports. com. He has covered South Dakota sports since 2006 and primarily covers high school and amateur sports for the web site, which was founded in 2021. 

“This award, although a personal achievement, is a reflection of the time, energy, and devotion to the publication and members of the publication by Ryan Deal,” LiveTicket.Tv and 605 Sports CEO Jody Brozik said. “He has embraced the initial model and vision of 605Sports, and directed it with professionalism and precision. It is very exciting to see this young man honored this year, and two of the four years of 605Sports’ existence by his peers. To be honored by your fellow sportswriters and editors is the greatest honor possible.”

The NSMA selects sportscaster and sportswriter of the year award winners each year on a state and national level. 

Sportscaster Mike Tirico of NBC and sports columnist Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe have been voted by their peers into the National Sports Media Association’s Hall of Fame, NSMA executive director Dave Goren announced. They’ll be joined by posthumous selections Charlie Jones and Wendell Smith.

The four were elected by NSMA members during December’s final balloting. Ian Eagle of CBS, Westwood One, and Turner was voted the 2024 National Sportscaster of the Year, while The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal was voted the 2024 National Sportswriter of the Year. It’s the second NSMA national award for each of them. The NSMA will honor its award winners and Hall of Fame inductees during the organization’s 65th awards weekend and national convention, to be held this summer in North Carolina.