West Virginia University Leads 17th Annual Super 11 Awards Winners

There is a specific kind of energy that settles over Morgantown when the West Virginia University athletics department hits a high note, and the latest news from Dallas has given the community plenty to celebrate. While the roar of the crowd at the stadium usually takes center stage, the machinery that operates behind the scenes—the people who manage the narrative, handle the press, and keep the wheels of communication turning—has just been recognized on a national stage. West Virginia University has secured its fourth FWAA “Super 11” honor, a distinction that underscores the professional excellence of the university’s football communications unit.

For those who follow the inner workings of college sports, the Super 11 Awards aren’t just another trophy for the case. Presented annually by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), these awards are designed to identify the best-performing College Sports Communicators departments within the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision. In an era where the intersection of sports and media is more volatile than ever, being named one of the “Super 11” is a signal to the entire industry that WVU is operating at the gold standard of transparency and efficiency.

The Anatomy of a “Super 11” Achievement

The 17th edition of the Super 11 Awards, announced this week for the 2025 season, highlights a mix of seasoned veterans and newcomers. WVU finds itself in the company of some of the most storied programs in the country. To put the achievement in perspective, the 2025 award marks a record 13th honor for Clemson, while Nebraska has earned its 12th. WVU’s fourth honor—and its second consecutive win—places it in a prestigious tier alongside programs like Iowa, South Carolina, and Tennessee, who as well earned their fourth awards this cycle.

This consistency is not accidental. The football communications unit at WVU is led by Mike Montoro, the assistant athletics director for football communications, and Michael Fragale, the executive senior associate director of athletics communications. These two have been the architects of the program’s publicity efforts since 2007, providing a level of institutional stability that is rare in the high-turnover world of collegiate athletics. According to Montoro, this success is a collective effort, citing the essential roles played by coach Rich Rodriguez, the Mountaineer coaching staff, and the broader WVU Athletics external team.

When we seem at the “macro” trend of these awards, we see a pattern of professionalization in how FBS programs interact with the media. The Super 11 doesn’t reward the team with the most wins on the field; it rewards the team with the most professional conduct off it. For a community like Morgantown, where the university is a central economic and cultural pillar, having a communications department that maintains high standards of media relations and institutional transparency reflects positively on the city’s overall professional reputation.

The Rigorous Standards of the FWAA

What exactly does it accept to earn a spot in the Super 11? The FWAA, an organization founded in 1941 consisting of journalists, broadcasters, and publicists, doesn’t hand these out based on press release volume. Instead, the criteria focus on the actual experience of the working journalist. The 2025 winners were evaluated based on their accessibility during and after game weeks, specifically regarding how easily reporters could reach players, coaches, and coordinators.

Beyond simple access, the FWAA examines the “decorum and protocols” within the press box and the locker room. This means the WVU staff has excelled in creating an environment where the press can do their jobs without unnecessary friction, while still protecting the integrity of the team’s internal operations. In a landscape where some programs have become increasingly restrictive with media access, WVU’s commitment to accessibility—as noted by 2026 FWAA President Shehan Jeyarajah—sets a benchmark for the rest of the subdivision.

The breadth of the award’s history is also notable. Since the Super 11 began with the 2009 season, the FWAA has recognized 83 different FBS programs. The 2025 list included a lone first-time honoree in Kansas, while other repeat winners included Navy (ninth time), Texas Tech (third time), and both Ohio State and San Jose State (second time). This diversity of winners shows that while powerhouses like Clemson dominate, a commitment to operational excellence in communications can elevate any program to national prominence.

Navigating Professional Communications in Morgantown

Seeing the success of WVU’s communications team highlights a broader demand for high-level strategic messaging within the local business and institutional community. Whether you are managing a growing company, a non-profit, or a municipal agency, the lessons from the Super 11—accessibility, professionalism, and consistent leadership—are directly applicable to local success. Given my background in geo-journalism and professional directory curation, I’ve seen how the lack of a cohesive communication strategy can hinder a local entity’s growth, even when the “product” they provide is excellent.

If you are looking to mirror the professional standards exhibited by the WVU athletics department within your own organization in the Morgantown area, you shouldn’t just look for a “publicist.” You need specialists who understand the nuances of stakeholder management and media psychology. Here are the three types of local professional archetypes Try to consider:

Strategic Communications Consultants

Look for professionals who offer more than just copywriting. You need a consultant who can build a comprehensive communication framework—similar to the one used by Montoro and Fragale—that defines how your organization interacts with the public, the press, and internal stakeholders. Prioritize those with a proven track record of managing long-term institutional narratives rather than short-term “hype” campaigns.

Crisis Management and PR Specialists

The “decorum and protocols” mentioned by the FWAA are most critical during a crisis. When seeking a PR specialist, look for individuals who specialize in “reputation defense” and have experience navigating high-pressure environments. The ideal candidate should have a clear methodology for rapid response and a network of established media contacts to ensure your side of the story is told accurately and promptly.

Corporate Media Trainers

A communications department is only as good as the people who speak for the organization. If your executives or managers struggle with interview requests or public appearances, seek out a media trainer. Look for professionals who provide simulated “hot seat” interviews and provide objective critiques of delivery, tone, and messaging alignment to ensure your team reflects the professionalism of a top-tier institution.

Ready to find trusted professionals? Browse our complete directory of top-rated communications experts in the Morgantown area today.