Surrey sports reporter Tom Zillich is BC School Sports’ Media Person of the Year.
On Thursday (April 16), BC School Sports, the governing body for interscholastic sport in the province, announced the recipients of the 2026 BCSS Awards, recognizing 12 individuals and one school whose outstanding contributions have strengthened school sport and enriched the experiences of student-athletes across British Columbia.
This year’s recipients represent the passion, leadership, and commitment that continue to elevate educational athletics throughout the province. Whether through mentorship, service, or innovation, each honouree has played a meaningful role in enriching the experiences of student-athletes and strengthening school sport in their communities
“Each year, we are reminded the strength of school sport lies in the people behind it,” BCSS executive director Jordan Abney said in a press release. “The impact of these incredible and deserving individuals extends far beyond competition — they help shape positive experiences and lifelong memories for student-athletes. We are proud to celebrate the 2026 award recipients and recognize their lasting contributions to school sports.”
The Media Person of the Year award recognizes an individual in the media who has highlighted and celebrated school sport in their reporting, bringing attention to BCSS, its member schools and student-athletes by showcasing the very best of school sport in BC.
Zillich, who currently works at the Surrey Now-Leader, is a veteran multimedia journalist who has covered news, entertainment and sports for publications in Surrey, Vancouver and Delta since 1990.
On the sports beat, Zillich writes about hockey of all kinds, football, basketball, soccer, baseball, wrestling, badminton, golf, track, lacrosse, curling and much more. His work highlights the triumphs of student-athletes in Surrey’s many secondary schools, often providing the first major media spotlight for B.C.’s rising sports stars.
Away from journalism, Zillich has coached minor hockey and soccer teams in North Delta that involved his two children, and he’s currently on the Surrey Sports Hall of Fame nominating committee that will induct the inaugural 2026 class later this spring.
“I’m humbled by this award, which could be given to any of the Black Press Media sports journalists on our B.C.-wide team. I thank BC School Sports for this honour,” Zillich said in a statement to the Reporter.
Zillich and the rest of the 2026 BCSS Award recipients will be honoured at an awards dinner in Whistler on Friday, May 8.
This year’s other award winners are:
• Honour Award: Rick Thiessen (Mennonite Educational Institute)
• Most Inspirational School: Oak Bay High School (Victoria)
• Women in Sport & Leadership Award: Patricia Anderson (Gleneagle Secondary)
• Citation of Excellence – Coach: Mike Dumouchelle (Guildford Park Secondary), Rob Steciuk (Okanagan Mission Secondary), Elisa Wong (Sir Charles Tupper Secondary)
• Citation of Excellence – Official: Frank Roberto (football), Kevin Wallace (basketball)
• Citation of Excellence – Administrator: Lynett Schramm (Sardis Secondary), Dennis Pavan (Notre Dame Regional Secondary)
• Citation of Excellence – Athletic Director: Nicole McRae (Wellington Secondary), Peter Battistan (New Westminster Secondary)