West Virginia University was named one of the recipients of the Football Writers Association of America’s Super 11 Awards for the 2025 season, according to an April 9 announcement. This marks the second consecutive year and fourth time in six years that WVU has received this honor, which recognizes outstanding college sports communications departments in NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision.
The recognition highlights WVU’s commitment to effective communication and accessibility with media covering college football. The university’s football communications unit is led by Mike Montoro, assistant athletics director for football communications, and Michael Fragale, executive senior associate director of athletics communications. Both have overseen publicity efforts for WVU football since 2007.
“We are honored to have received this recognition for the second consecutive year and fourth time in the past six years (2020, 2022, 2024, 2025),” Montoro said. “Handling the communications efforts for college football is a demanding business and many people have to be part of the process and do their jobs efficiently for everything to be done the right way. Credit for this award needs to be shared with coach Rich Rodriguez, the Mountaineer coaching staff and the WVU Athletics external team.”
Other programs recognized include Clemson—which earned its record thirteenth award—Nebraska with its twelfth, Navy with its ninth, Iowa, South Carolina, Tennessee each earning a fourth award alongside West Virginia University, Texas Tech receiving its third award, and Kansas as a first-time recipient. The awards are based on criteria such as accessibility during game weeks and post-game periods with players and coaches as well as adherence to protocols regarding media access.
FWAA President Shehan Jeyarajah said: “We’re so excited to again honor the best and brightest communication staffs in college football… I’d like to give a special recognition to retiring Jerry Emig at Ohio State… We commend him for his years of service.” FWAA Executive Director Steve Richardson added: “We once again honor some programs who have provided great assistance to writers for many years… These are the best of the best… There are others which are excellent and some on the cusp of making Super 11 next year perhaps. We have a number of hard-working communications staff who make our jobs easier. We appreciate that on an annual basis.”
The Football Writers Association of America was founded in 1941 and consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives across all areas of college football.
