By Mark Blanchard

Jacksonville.com, the Internet Web site developed by The Florida Times-Union, has won the top industry award for having the best online sports section in the world.

The EPpy award was presented by Editor & Publisher magazine for the Best Sports Section in a Newspaper Online Service.

Online Sports Editor Craig Sims accepted the award on behalf of the Jacksonville.com staff during the 11th annual Interactive Newspapers Conference and Trade Show in New Orleans.

He told an audience of more than 1,000: "We are extremely honored by this award."

"This is the Pulitzer of online journalism," said Michael Romaner, MCC's director of online services. "It just doesn't get any better than this."

The online sports section is found at www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/sports/.

Jacksonville.com was one of three award finalists. The others were Sports Day by the Dallas (Texas) Morning News and Sports Extra at ireland.com by The Irish Times.

"Jacksonville.com and its staff truly deserve recognition," Romaner said. "Its sports section is best both nationwide and worldwide and the panel of 24 judges agreed."

"We have made great strides in this area over the years, and we will continue to build on this success at Jacksonville.com," said Times-Union Editor Pat Yack.

Jacksonville.com also was one of three finalists in the category for Best Design of a Newspaper Online Service. The Guardian in London, England, won. The other finalist being was The Times Union in Albany, N.Y.

OTHER AWARDS AND HONORS