Beano Cook receives February 2011 Bert McGrane Award Vol. 49, No. 1 SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — The legend- "Beano Inside this issue: ary Beano Cook has been named the has always 38th winner of the Football Writers Asso- been an in- ciation of America's Bert McGrane stitution of Award. passion and President’s column 2 The Bert McGrane Award, symbolic knowledge of the association's Hall of Fame, is pre- for the sented to an FWAA member who has sport," said Auburn wins Grantland 3 performed great service to the organiza- Mark Rice Trophy tion and/or the writing profession. It is Blaudschun named after McGrane, a Des Moines, of the Boston Iowa, writer who was the executive sec- Globe, who became retary of the FWAA from the early 1940s Tommy Hicks becomes chair of the until 1973. 68th president of 4 McGrane Cook, 79, a college football commen- FWAA tator for ABC/ESPN since 1986, worked Award after as a sports information director at Pitts- winning it in Beano Cook burgh from 1956-66 and publicized col- 2007. lege football for ABC from 1966-74. He "College Donald Hunt receives did the same for CBS from 1977-82, then football has great stories, and we need Volney Meece 4 returned to ABC to work in front of the Beano to tell them. He has no agenda, Scholarship camera as a college football commenta- just his passion for the sport." tor before joining ESPN. Cook has been an FWAA member "I'm shocked," Cook said on an ESPN since 1956 and became a part of the FWAA's 50-plus club in 2005 when, for podcast. "The only person more shocked Freshman All-America the first time, the organization honored 5 in recent years over getting picked was team announced Sarah Palin. I've come to the conclusion members of 50 years or more. that if you live long enough, you're going The FWAA has named a Bert to get some type of award whether you McGrane Award winner since 1974. Sev- deserve it or not." eral of the giants of the writing profession The McGrane Award will be present- have won the award along with sports Rutgers’ Eric LeGrand ed to Cook at the College Football Hall of information directors, bowl officials and named winner of 6 Fame enshrinement ceremony next sum- occasionally a person from an allied field FWAA Courage Award mer in South Bend, Ind. in sports journalism. Page 2 THE FIFTH DOWN President Tommy Hicks Mobile Press-Register President’s column First Vice President Lenn Robbins With more than the puzzle. There are countless others New York Post 1,200 members, who play equally important roles in our Second Vice President the largest roster progress and our duties. I will be calling Chris Dufrense in our history, the on many of you, as I have already done, Los Angeles Times Football Writers for suggestions, guidance and assis- Association of tance over the next year and I have Board of Directors John Davis America contin- learned that you are always willing to Oxford (Miss.) Eagle ues to grow and help. For that, I am very appreciative. Heather Dinich continues to gain The FWAA is filled not only with true ESPN.com strength. professionals, but with many good Pete DiPrimio Our strength in friends. That is a comfortable feeling for Fort Wayne (Ind.) News- numbers couldn't me as we all go forward. Thanks to past Sentinel come at a more president Tim Griffin, not only for his sol- Ryan Finley TOMMY important time. id work on our behalf, but for his sugges- Arizona Daily Star With the ever- tions, helpful hints and assistance. Ron Pete Fiutak HICKS College Football News changing way in Higgins continues to work overtime for Cory Giger which we do busi- our organization and he has been, and Altoona Mirror ness – new media and social media, vid- will continue to be, someone I call on Kevin Gorman eo blogs and reports and other reporting often for advice. Others such as Wally Pittsburgh Tribune-Review responsibilities, content sharing and the Hall, George Schroeder, Ivan Maisel, Kate Hairopoulos like – there has never been a more im- Tony Barnhart and more have been a Dallas Morning News portant time for us to join forces. It great help simply thanks to their friend- Mick McGrane seems there are new ways and new ship and past leadership. Freelance challenges in how we go about our jobs In recent weeks, I have had a chance Rodney McKissic Buffalo News with each new day. Some recent chal- to see some of our work from a front row Dave Matter lenges, such as access to coaches and seat. The Bronko Nagurski award ban- Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune athletes, remain issues that require our quet in Charlotte was a special event Jorge Milian attention. and one in which we can be proud. The Palm Beach Post As a group and working together, we same is true of the Outland Trophy Malcolm Moran have a greater voice, a greater oppor- award banquet in Omaha. Both were Knight Foundation tunity not only to have our voice heard well-run, popular events that allow us to Randy Rosetta but also to affect change. The FWAA is have a more public presence. Baton Rouge Advocate more than just an organization of men We are continuing to work with the Roger Rubin New York Daily News and women who share the same profes- Marriott folks to continue our VIP pro- Adam Sparks sion, and with that the same hopes and gram. That is a priority and another way Daily News (Tenn.) Journal goals, the same deadlines and issues. in which membership in the FWAA pro- Andy Staples It's an organization that has proven over vides a value. If you have received an Sports Illustated the years to be an advocate for our email regarding this issue, please reply Phil Steele greater good in a number of areas. It is to it as quickly as possible. This is an Phil Steele Magazine an organization that has proven to be issue where our membership numbers Jake Trotter open-minded, one that takes a stand and could be a key factor. Access will also Daily Oklahoman offers support when required. continue to be a focal point this year with Jimmy Watson Growing our membership isn't simply the hopes of making strides in that area. Shreveport Times about tossing around stats in our sup- I am proud to serve you as president; Ex-Officio port, but in gaining strength, in adding thank you for the opportunity. Charles Bloom volume to our voice. Maintaining a pres- If there is anything you wish to talk Southeastern Conference John Paquette ence and earning and solidifying that about or if you have a concern or issue Big East Conference presence should continue to be one of you wish the organization to address, Joe Hornstein our most important aims. please feel free to contact me at Central Florida I look forward to serving as your [email protected] or phone me at (251) FWAA president in the coming year and 610-7808. Steve Richardson, our execu- will be aware of the trust placed in me by tive director, also would like to hear from you in this position. Still, I recognize I'm you at [email protected]. just one part of the process, one piece of Page 3 THE FIFTH DOWN Auburn wins Grantland Rice Trophy after dramatic win over Oregon SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Following their 22-19 win Auburn's defense stiffened on an Oregon drive to the over Oregon in the Tostitos BCS National Championship 1-yard line late in the third quarter, denying the Ducks a Game, the Auburn Tigers (14-0) were presented the chance for a potential tying touchdown. Oregon would 2010 Grantland Rice Trophy by the Football Writers As- later tie the score with 2:33 left in the game before Au- sociation of America. FWAA president Tommy Hicks of burn put together a 7-play, 73-yard drive for the winning the Mobile Press-Register made the presentation to field goal and its first national football championship of head coach Gene Chizik at a morning news conference. any kind since 1957. A panel of 15 veteran FWAA members selected Au- "These guys represent Auburn on the field, off the burn as the FWAA champion after the Tigers completed field, in the community the right way," Chizik said after an unbeaten season when Wes Byrum kicked a 19-yard completing his second season. "We said that we wanted field goal as time expired. to go from good to great. And I can sit here tonight and I Auburn, which has never won the FWAA national can tell you that Auburn - the Auburn Tigers are the best championship trophy, joins fellow SEC members Ala- football team in the United States." bama (2009), Florida (2008), LSU (2007) and Florida The Grantland Rice Trophy has been presented by (2006) in the five-year national championship reign by the Football Writers Association of America to college the league. football's national champion since 1954. Named for the Oregon (12-1), the Pacific-10 champion, averaged legendary sportswriter, the Grantland Rice Trophy was nearly 50 points per game coming into the championship the first national championship award to be presented game, but was overmatched trying to contend with Au- after the college football postseason. burn's defensive line that helped limit the Ducks to a Although the FWAA does not conduct a final poll at season-low 81 rushing yards .