SOME HIGHLIGHTS
Special assignment team leadership. Selected by top Birmingham News editor to direct and edit work of special-assignment newsroom “all-star team” devoted to aftermath coverage of state’s historic April 27, 2011 tornadoes. In a 2012 News article, the editor, a 30-year veteran, said the team's work was "some of the best journalism this paper has ever seen."
Peer award recipient. First Birmingham News journalist in 24 years to win a second "Big N," an annual, peer-voted honor for outstanding work (2012).
Dual industry honors. Accomplished a rare industry "double" by directing and editing the Alabama Associated Press' Best-of-the-Year winner in both News and Sports in the same year.
Investigative reporting. Guided staff to two investigative reporting awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors, a national competition that was not divided by newspaper circulation size.
Public speaking. Recognized public speaker with numerous appearances at Bryant-Jordan Awards Banquet, at Mr. Football / Basketball Awards Banquet, and on sports TV and radio shows.
A FEW THINGS I WROTE
The other tackler
Barry Krauss' fourth-down stop in Alabama's Goal-Line Stand in the 1979 Sugar Bowl will live forever, but time has obscured the other defender who made the play.
The Birmingham News, Sept. 8, 2010
“With as much the ink as has been spilled on this one play over the 20 years since it occurred, who would have dreamed that a writer could have possibly uncovered an obscure yet critical bit concerning it and then relayed the story with such craft and skill. Well done on all counts, Mr. Arenberg. You’ve further enriched the lore of this iconic play and, I believe, inspired us all in the process.”
At stake is the Birmingham system's credibility, and the futures of lesser athletes who someday may regret cutting corners on their education.
The Birmingham News, Sept. 26, 2010
UAB dodges a bullet
It managed to avoid a disastrous and nationally embarrassing postseason ban in basketball, but the struggle for passable academics isn't over.
The Birmingham News, June 10, 2010
JOBS
Statewide curation manager, Alabama Media Group, Birmingham, Alabama
Sports editor, The Birmingham News, Birmingham, Alabama
News editor (Metro desk, State desk, Night desk), The Birmingham News, Birmingham, Alabama
News reporter (government, education, crime, courts, general assignment enterprise), Quad-City Times, Davenport, Iowa; smaller Iowa newspapers
“Tom, thank you for your service, professionalism, your ethical standards. Those are things I hope don’t go by the wayside when we (state sports media) lose a great guy like you.”
“No, that stuff is not going by the wayside.”