CU Once Again Designated As National 'Super 11' Winner

BOULDER — Colorado's Sports Information Department has once again earned designation as one of the nation's best, earning "Super 11" recognition by the Football Writers Association of America.

It is the sixth time since 2009 and the fifth time in the last six years CU has earned the honor.  The FWAA announced its annual awards for the 2018 season earlier this week. Only one other Pac-12 school, Arizona State, also made the list.

"These 11 sports information departments have done an outstanding job of not just fulfilling the needs of media members, but of understanding the importance of strong working relationships between programs and the reporters who cover them," 2019 FWAA President Matt Fortuna said.

With its sixth designation, Colorado continued to be in a select group as one of several consistent Super 11 designees.  Clemson and Nebraska also won for the sixth time, with Clemson picking up its fourth straight award. Pittsburgh earned its fourth award, Navy won for a third time and Iowa State and Mississippi State each claimed their second honors.

First-time recipients for the award, which began in 2009, were Arizona State, Miami (Fla.), UAB and Wisconsin.

Criteria employed in determining the winners not only included how press boxes and media operations were operated, but also the quality and timeliness of information provided.  Also judged was the amount of information presented and appropriately updated on websites, and personal responsiveness to media inquiries as well as the accessibility of a program's players, coaches and assistant coaches.  The ratings considered those departments that went the extra mile in servicing the media.

Colorado Associate AD/Sports Information Director David Plati, who was recognized earlier this year by the FWAA with its Lifetime Achievement honor, called the award a "total team effort."

"It's truly an honor to win this award again," Plati said.  "As I've said before, this is a total team effort beyond sports information.  Aside from everything we do, we need the cooperation of the coaches and their buy-in of the importance of access, and the support staff who help in a myriad of ways.  That includes having good media parking to our press conference set-up. Finally, the players – we educate them on the do's and don'ts of interviews, they listen and give good answers."

This year's winners were deemed by FWAA observers to have had good accessibility during the week of the game and after the game – with a program's players, coaches and assistant coaches – along with the other listed criteria.

"That was a special point of emphasis in 2018 and will be again in 2019," FWAA Executive Director Steve Richardson said.  "Our membership wants access to players after games, of course, but also for human interest and analytical stories during the week.  Over the years, for a variety of reasons this access has been restricted. We believe there are many good stories out there that can be told if they are allowed to be told."

Plati said there were numerous other departments deserving of recognition.

"I've always thought well more than 11 deserve this annually," he said.  "I've seen a lot of quality press box and SID operations through the years, and it has to be difficult to narrow down.  I'd like to see it expand to at least a Super 22, much like the All-America teams did after the platoon era ended in the 1960s."

2018 Super 11 Award recipients — Arizona State, Clemson, Colorado, Iowa State, Miami, Mississippi State, Navy, Nebraska, Pitt, UAB, and Wisconsin

2017 recipients — Clemson, Colorado, Georgia, Houston, Miami (Ohio), Ohio State, Oklahoma, Rice, South Alabama, USC and Wyoming

2016 recipients — Air Force, Arkansas State, Clemson, Colorado, Miami (Ohio), Navy, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Southern California, Tennessee and UTEP.

2015 recipients — Clemson, Houston, Kansas State, Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi State, Northern Illinois, Pittsburgh, Southern California (USC), Utah State and Western Kentucky.

2014 recipients — Auburn, Bowling Green, Colorado, East Carolina, Iowa State, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Rice, Rutgers, UNLV and Southern California (USC).

2013 recipients — Colorado, Duke, Fresno State, Georgia, Middle Tennessee, Nebraska, Ole Miss, SMU, South Alabama, Southern California (USC) and Texas Tech.

2012 recipients — Baylor, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Georgia, Houston, Minnesota, Nebraska, Oregon State, Vanderbilt, Virginia and Wyoming.

2011 recipients — Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Michigan State, Northern Illinois, Oklahoma, San Diego State, Southern California (USC), Syracuse, Utah State and Western Kentucky.

2010 recipients — Clemson, Colorado, Georgia, Kentucky, Navy, Northwestern, Rutgers, Southern California (USC), Troy, Tulsa, and Utah.

2009 recipients — Buffalo, Clemson, East Carolina, Georgia, Nebraska, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, San Jose State, Southern California (USC), Texas and Utah.