Omaha Sports Director Won National Murrow Award
WOWT Sports Director Clayton Collier received national recognition for a feature story on a blind hitting coach.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Baseball
Clayton Collier, the Sports Director for WOWT in Omaha, has been honored with a national Edward R. Murrow Award. The award recognizes his feature story titled An Eye for Hitting, which profiles the life and career of hitting coach Mark Wetzel.
Why it matters
The prestigious award highlights the impact of local storytelling on a national scale. It draws attention to the remarkable career of Mark Wetzel, who has spent decades helping baseball players refine their skills despite being legally blind.
The award-winning feature highlights the career of Mark Wetzel, who has served as a hitting coach for 40 years. The story was recognized following a regional win earlier this year.
The players
Clayton Collier
He serves as the Sports Director for Omaha station WOWT.
Mark Wetzel
He is a legally blind hitting coach who has worked in baseball for 40 years.
WOWT
This is the Omaha-based television station where Clayton Collier works.
The details
The feature story, titled An Eye for Hitting, aired in November 2025 and focuses on the unique methodology developed by Wetzel. After winning a regional Murrow Award in May 2026, the report was selected for the national honor in August 2026, leading to a ceremony in New York City.
Timeline
November 2025: The feature story initially aired on local television.
May 2026: The production received a regional Edward R. Murrow Award.
August 2026: The station received notification of the national award win.
October 12, 2026: Award winners appeared on the Today Show and attended a gala.
Season Trajectory
This national recognition elevates the visibility of local sports journalism within the broader industry. It follows a successful run where the feature transitioned from a regional honor to national distinction, solidifying the station's standing in sports media.
The recognition brings national attention to a local hitting coach, potentially impacting demand for his expertise in the Omaha region. Residents can view the award-winning feature to gain insight into the techniques used by a coach with 40 years of experience.
The takeaway
The recognition of An Eye for Hitting demonstrates the profound stories found within local athletic communities. Dedicated coaching and storytelling can bridge gaps, showing that expertise is defined by skill rather than physical limitation.
Further reading
For more on local sports coverage, visit Baseball.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Wowt.
