K-State Athletics Communications Receives Fifth-Straight Super 11 Award
May 15, 2024 | Football, Athletics
MANHATTAN, Kan. – The Kansas State Athletics Communications Office was honored by the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA) for a fifth-consecutive year by earning the 2023 Super 11 Award, the organization announced Wednesday.
The honor, which rewards schools based off media accessibility, relationships and media operations, has been awarded to FBS sports information staffs each year since the conclusion of the 2009 season. It is the sixth time K-State has earned the distinction as the office was also honored following the 2015 season. Kansas State and Clemson are the only two schools who have earned the honor each of the last five years.
Leading the office in matters related to Wildcat football are Associate Athletics Director for Communications Ryan Lackey and Executive Associate Athletics Director for Communications/Public Relations Kenny Lannou. Other department staffers who worked primarily with football throughout the 2023 season include Video Producer Preston Koerner, Director of Creative Media for Football Parker Schmitz, Director of Football Graphic Design Ron Cook and Football Creative Media Assistant Chandler Mixon.
Additional in-season support was provided by Director of Men's Basketball Communications Tom Gilbert, Office Manager Mandi McKinley, Athletics Communications Assistant Kaitlyn Sanders, Senior Director of Creative Services Kayla Knight, Director of Graphic Design Ryan Barten, Director of Social Media and Digital Strategy Regina Bolin, Assistant Director of Social Media and Digital Strategy Addison Jarecki and Creative Writing and Content Specialist D. Scott Fritchen in addition to numerous student assistants in both the communications and creative services office.
K-State was joined on the 2023 Super 11 list by BYU, California, Clemson, Illinois, Kentucky, LSU, Navy, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Pittsburgh. The 2023 Super 11 Coach of the Year was Florida State head coach Mike Norvell.
"I want to thank these departments for fostering a welcoming environment and proving terrific access, allowing us to tell the stories that are informative and insightful," said 2024 FWAA President Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com. "Rather than limit our access, they understand providing more than just a fleeting glimpse into their programs provides a great service not only to their players and coaches but to their respective fan bases as well."
FWAA members provided input during the season when press boxes were judged on how well they were run and maintained in terms of neutrality, pool reporters, noise level and accessibility to the press box that could affect a media person's ability to do his or her job.
In January 2009, the FWAA released the first Super 11 Awards – a concept supported by the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA). The FWAA has now awarded at least one Super 11 Award to 81 different programs.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and game-day operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual FWAA All-America Team.
The honor, which rewards schools based off media accessibility, relationships and media operations, has been awarded to FBS sports information staffs each year since the conclusion of the 2009 season. It is the sixth time K-State has earned the distinction as the office was also honored following the 2015 season. Kansas State and Clemson are the only two schools who have earned the honor each of the last five years.
Leading the office in matters related to Wildcat football are Associate Athletics Director for Communications Ryan Lackey and Executive Associate Athletics Director for Communications/Public Relations Kenny Lannou. Other department staffers who worked primarily with football throughout the 2023 season include Video Producer Preston Koerner, Director of Creative Media for Football Parker Schmitz, Director of Football Graphic Design Ron Cook and Football Creative Media Assistant Chandler Mixon.
Additional in-season support was provided by Director of Men's Basketball Communications Tom Gilbert, Office Manager Mandi McKinley, Athletics Communications Assistant Kaitlyn Sanders, Senior Director of Creative Services Kayla Knight, Director of Graphic Design Ryan Barten, Director of Social Media and Digital Strategy Regina Bolin, Assistant Director of Social Media and Digital Strategy Addison Jarecki and Creative Writing and Content Specialist D. Scott Fritchen in addition to numerous student assistants in both the communications and creative services office.
K-State was joined on the 2023 Super 11 list by BYU, California, Clemson, Illinois, Kentucky, LSU, Navy, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Pittsburgh. The 2023 Super 11 Coach of the Year was Florida State head coach Mike Norvell.
"I want to thank these departments for fostering a welcoming environment and proving terrific access, allowing us to tell the stories that are informative and insightful," said 2024 FWAA President Andrea Adelson of ESPN.com. "Rather than limit our access, they understand providing more than just a fleeting glimpse into their programs provides a great service not only to their players and coaches but to their respective fan bases as well."
FWAA members provided input during the season when press boxes were judged on how well they were run and maintained in terms of neutrality, pool reporters, noise level and accessibility to the press box that could affect a media person's ability to do his or her job.
In January 2009, the FWAA released the first Super 11 Awards – a concept supported by the College Sports Communicators (formerly CoSIDA). The FWAA has now awarded at least one Super 11 Award to 81 different programs.
Founded in 1941, the Football Writers Association of America consists of journalists, broadcasters, publicists, photographers and key executives in all areas of college football. The FWAA works to govern media access and game-day operations while presenting awards and honors, including an annual FWAA All-America Team.
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