Colorado University Athletics
CU Sports Information Once Again Earns 'Super 11' Designation
May 14, 2020 | Football, Alumni C Club, Neill Woelk
BOULDER — For the sixth time in seven years, Colorado's Sports Information Department has been honored as one of the nation's best, earning "Super 11" recognition from the Football Writers Association of America.
The honor, given to the nation's best performing sports information departments in the Football Bowl Subdivision, was first bestowed by the FWAA after the 2009 season.Â
It is the seventh time overall for CU to be recognized. The only other Pac-12 school to be honored for 2019 was Cal, which won the award for the first time.Â
Clemson and Colorado each won for a seventh time. It was Clemson's fifth straight award and Colorado's sixth award in seven seasons. Navy won for a fourth time, Mississippi State a third time and Kansas State and San Diego State each for a second time.
Along with Cal, the other first-time recipients were Appalachian State, Iowa, Memphis and North Carolina State.
This year's winners were deemed by FWAA observers to have provided 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 for 2018 and 2019," Richardson said. "Our membership wanted access to players after games, of course, but also for human interest and analytical stories during the week. It is encouraging that SIDs were being allowed to do their jobs by coaches at these schools. Obviously, as we move into uncertain times in college football, there may be developing standards and protocols which become prominent."
With its seventh designation, Colorado continues to be among a select group of consistent Super 11 designees.
"This is something we are extremely proud of because this recognizes a total team effort, not only on the part of the SID office, but so many others," said Colorado Associate AD/Sports Information Director David Plati. "We host six games a year, and we want to do our best. From great access to coaches and players, in-depth game notes, extensive postgame notes and quotes to innovations we started like halftime quotes from the field, our top priority is to service all the needs of the media. Our student assistants play just as big a role in this award as anyone."
In January 2009, the FWAA formed the first Super 11 Committee. The concept has been supported and endorsed by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), many of whom are members of the FWAA. The FWAA has awarded Super 11 to 70 different schools in this program over the years.
The Football Writers Association of America, a non-profit organization founded in 1941, consists of more than 1,300 men and women across North America who cover college football for a living. The membership includes journalists, broadcasters and publicists, as well as key executives in all the areas that involve the game. The FWAA works to govern areas that include game-day operations, major awards, a national poll and its annual All-America teams.
2019 Super 11 Award recipients — Appalachian State, California, Clemson, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas State, Memphis, Mississippi State, Navy, North Carolina State, San Diego State
2018 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.
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