Belinson named first new RDL sports editor in 5 decades

The Ruston Daily Leader has a new sports editor as of this week with the promotion of Matt Belinson to a position long held in high regard around Louisiana.

In fact, Belinson becomes the first scribe to hold the sports editor title other than Hall of Famer O.K. “Buddy” Davis in more than five decades.

“It’s no coincidence that Matt has assumed this role for our publication to be mentioned with Buddy Davis,” Leader Publisher Celeste Holley said. “Since Matt arrived in Ruston, he has built a following in the community with hard work, astute observations and commitment to excellence — all attributes Buddy shared for many years. If Buddy was still with us today, he would be proud of Matt and would welcome him aboard … probably with a practical joke.”

Belinson is about to begin his third year in Ruston after graduating from Iowa State University in the spring of 2022.

He arrived in Ruston in August of that summer and immediately began to crank out sports copy, covering every aspect of prep and college sports.

“I am incredibly honored and humbled to receive this promotion and the responsibility that comes with it,” Belinson said. “Ruston, and all of Lincoln Parish, has been so welcoming to me since I arrived two years ago. It’s been so much fun to work in this region and tell the stories of athletes at the high school and college level. I want to thank Celeste Holley and Brian Trahan for offering me this opportunity.”

Originally from Belvidere, Illinois — near the Chicagoland area — Belinson is ingrained into the Ruston community as a member of First Baptist Church of Ruston.

In 2023, he was honored by the Louisiana Press Association with Best Sports Column and Best Sports Story in Division 2 of the Better Newspaper Competition statewide. His in-depth feature on the bond Ruston High athletes Joran Parker, Aidan Anding and Zheric Hill share was tabbed as the best story. His winning opinion piece was penned on the ever-changing landscape of college sports for Group of 5 conferences.

“My title may change but my passion for telling sports stories of Lincoln Parish won’t waver,” Belinson said. “This job is a privilege, and I don’t take it lightly — to be able to share in the athletic triumphs and heartbreak that make up the heartbeat of this community. No matter the sport or level of competition, I promise to maintain a high standard of reporting and storytelling that you deserve.”

Since his arrival, Belinson has been boots on the ground covering such watershed sporting events as Ruston High School winning its first football state championship in 30 years as well as Choudrant High’s baseball team attempting to “three-peat” with its third consecutive state title in baseball in 2023.

He has also covered outstanding athletes all over Lincoln Parish at Cedar Creek, RHS, Lincoln Prep, Choudrant and Simsboro in addition to collegiate sports at Louisiana Tech and Grambling State.

Sports fans can continue reading Belinson’s work by subscribing to the print edition of the Ruston Daily Leader, the reigning Newspaper of the Year in Louisiana, or online through its e-edition.