Miami University RedHawks
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DALLAS - For the second consecutive year, Miami University's Athletic Communication office was named to the Super 11 by the Football Writers Association of America on Monday afternoon, given annually to the best performing sports information departments in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The awards announced are based on the 2017 season.
Miami is joined by USC, Georgia, Clemson, Colorado, Houston, Oklahoma, Wyoming, Rice, South Alabama and Ohio State. This is the ninth year for these awards, which began in 2009.
"This is one of the most important honors that the FWAA as an organization awards," said Tim Griffin, the Big 12 editor for Cox Media Group and the FWAA's longtime chairman of the Super 11 committee. "There are many strong sports information departments around the nation. We are grateful for all of them. But this award is meant to honor the best of the best. It's for those SIDs who provide strong media services and go the extra mile to provide help above and beyond the call of duty."
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.
The Super 11 Committee received input from other FWAA members and others who covered college football during the 2017 season.
"We believe we have a great mix of schools here," said FWAA Executive Director Steve Richardson. "Some schools which have been consistently good over the years, others who have had some history of being at the top and one new school. And there are several others who are on the cusp and could be in the Super 11 in future years."
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.