Oklahoma ranked atop August 2011 FWAA pre-season poll Vol. 49, No. 2 DALLAS — The Oklahoma Sooners Inside this issue: are favorites to win the Grantland Rice Trophy in the Football Writers Associa- SUPER 16 POLL tion of America’s annual pre-season poll. Oklahoma, which won the Big 12 title First-place votes in parentheses President’s column 2 last season, would snap a string of five straight Southeastern Conference teams 1 Oklahoma (7) 229 to win the FWAA trophy if the FWAA vot- ers are accurate. Auburn won the trophy 2 Alabama (5) 213 FWAA recognizes last season, Alabama in 2009, Florida in Super 11 sports 3 2008 and 2006, and LSU in 2007. 3 Oregon 196 information depart- The Grantland Rice Trophy has been ments awarded to the top team in college foot- 4 Boise State 175 ball by the FWAA since 1954. Oklahoma 5 LSU (1) 174 last won the Grantland Rice Trophy in 2000. The Sooners have claimed the 6 Florida State 162 FWAA Trophy a total of five times (1955, Outland Trophy 4 1956, 1975, 1985 and 2000). 7 Stanford (1) 136 Watch List The Sooners garnered seven first- place votes to Alabama’s five. LSU, 8 Nebraska 107 Stanford and South Carolina each re- ceived one first-place vote. Oklahoma’s 9 Virginia Tech 106 229 points easily outdistanced second- place Alabama, which was followed by 10 Texas A&M 91 Bronko Nagurski Oregon, Boise State and LSU. Oregon 4 and LSU will face each other in their sea- 11 Oklahoma State 84 Trophy Watch List son opener on Sept. 3 at Cowboys Sta- dium in Arlington, Texas. 12 Arkansas 62 Rounding out the Top 10 are Florida State, Stanford, Nebraska, Virginia Tech 13 Notre Dame 58 and Texas A&M. The SEC had the most 14 Wisconsin 50 teams in the Super 16 with four Jack Youngblood to receive Nagurski Leg- 5 (Alabama, LSU, Arkansas and South 15 South Carolina (1) 49 Carolina). The Big 12 had the next most ends Award with three. No other conference had 16 TCU 37 more than two teams in the Super 16. Page 2 THE FIFTH DOWN President Tommy Hicks Mobile Press-Register President’s column First Vice President The conversation contributions and work over the years. Lenn Robbins continues on Although Beano wasn't able to attend the New York Post many fronts for banquet, a video of the McGrane Award the FWAA as we presentation by friend and former FWAA Second Vice President all approach the president Ivan Maisel was shown during Chris Dufrense busiest time in our the banquet and was a big hit. Having Los Angeles Times schedules. Com- Beano accept his award on video, and Board of Directors munication is thus on a screen, was fitting in many Kirk Bohls good, regardless ways; that's the way most college foot- Austin American- of the avenue, ball fans have been introduced to Beano Statesman and there has over the past several years. Buddy Davis been no lack of The presentation also allowed us the Ruston Daily Leader communication in opportunity, as do many of the awards in Cory Giger TOMMY recent weeks. which we are involved, to get the FWAA Altoona Mirror From phone calls name in front of the public and let them Kate Hairopoulos HICKS to in-person dis- know of our organization's strength and The Dallas Morning News cussions to e-mail numbers, its purpose and our passion for Wally Hall correspondence to attendance and par- the game we cover. It has been some- Arkansas Democrat- ticipation at various functions, the task of what surprising the support and interest Gazette keeping our organization's issues in play that has come from those opportunities. Mike Huguenin continues to be a priority. Recently, the FWAA was asked to rivals.com In recent weeks, I have had the op- look into a matter of access in regard to Tom Kensler portunity to experience first-hand some a selective media opportunity involving Denver Post of the ways in which we have a voice for Ohio State and its response to NCAA Iliana Limon our concerns, as well as the vantage actions. Some Ohio State officials pro- Orlando Sentinel point of seeing how others view the vided interview access to only a select Kelly Lyell FWAA and the work we are trying to ac- few media members, leaving others, in- Fort Collins Coloradoan complish. From the CoSIDA convention cluding some beat writers, without that Brett McMurphy in Marco Island, Fla., where we had par- access and thus without key information cbssports.com ticipation on a pair of panels, to the Col- with which to do their jobs. The matter Jorge Milian lege Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement was brought to the attention of the Palm Beach Post Festival in South Bend, Ind., where we FWAA. Ethics committee chairman Ron Malcolm Moran had the chance to honor Bert McGrane Higgins, a staunch advocate for media Knight Foundation Award winner Beano Cook as well as access and a former FWAA president, Randy Peterson meet with others in the college football and executive director Steve Richardson Des Moines Register community, the conversation continues. produced a response to Ohio State’s Randy Rosetta The subjects of media access and the Gene Smith, seeking a reply as to why Baton Rouge Daily effects of social media were the hottest some reporters, including FWAA mem- Advocate topics of the CoSIDA convention that bers, were denied access to school offi- Zach Silva involved the FWAA's participation. With cials regarding such an important issue. Toledo Blade viewpoints from several directions, the Again, our membership of about Andy Staples panels proved interesting and informa- 1,200 provides us with a loud voice and si.com tive. They also served to keep issues hopefully growing strength. The history Phil Steele that are of importance to the FWAA of this organization doesn’t simply pro- Phil Steele Publications membership in the forefront, before the vide us with a strong and proud past; it is Jake Trotter groups most affected by the decisions also a basis for our present and a build- espn.com regarding both issues. ing block for our future. The greater the Ex-Officio The College Football Hall of Fame membership, the greater that foundation. Charles Bloom Enshrinement Festival offered the oppor- If there is an issue you feel should be Southeastern Conference tunity to meet with people in a relaxed brought to the organization’s attention, John Paquette atmosphere. It also provided the chance feel free to contact me ([email protected] Big East Conference to visit with our friends at the National or 251-610-7808), Steve Richardson or Joe Hornstein Football Foundation and to honor Cook, others with the FWAA. Thanks again for Central Florida a long-time member of the FWAA, for his your support and your membership. Page 3 THE FIFTH DOWN FWAA recognizes Super 11 sports information departments The Football Writers Association of America has an- Register-Guard; Mark Blaudschun, Boston Globe; Lenn nounced its second Super 11 field of sports information Robbins, New York Post; Chad Cripe, Idaho Statesman; departments that were deemed the best in the NCAA Kate Hairopoulos, The Dallas Morning News; Matt Football Bowl Subdivision during the 2010 season. Markey, Toledo Blade; Ted Miller, espn.com; and Randy Georgia, Northwestern, Utah, Clemson, Colorado, Rosetta, Baton Rouge Advocate. Rutgers, Troy, Navy, Tulsa, Kentucky and Southern Cali- fornia are the winners from the past season. Five are FWAA RECOMMENDED PRESS POLICIES repeaters from 2009: Georgia, Utah, Clemson, Rutgers and Southern California. 1. Players (eligible and playing in varsity games) Since the FWAA’s inception in 1941, one of the or- who are requested should be available to media during ganization’s charges is to provide better working condi- Mondays and Tuesdays of Game Week (minimum). tions for writers across the country. Over the years, the 2. Defensive Coordinator AND Offensive Coordinator FWAA has given out press box commendations to de- available to media once a week during season serving schools. The FWAA also has conducted ratings (minimum) and once a month during off. season of sports information departments. (minimum). “There are many outstanding sports information de- 3. Freshmen who play should be available to media. partments across college football,” said Tim Griffin, Su- 4. If former players and/or boosters are allowed into per 11 Committee chairman and the FWAA’s immediate scrimmages or practices, the media should not be ex- past president. “But we felt it was very important to hon- cluded from those same scrimmages or practices. or the best of the best, including some who have been 5. Coaches should be available to media on their honored for two straight years who are consistently ex- campuses at least once a week during the season for no emplary above and beyond the call of duty. We plan to less than 30 minutes. They also should be made availa- continue this honor in upcoming years to recognize the ble after practice each day for updates on the team. departments that understand the demands of our jobs Weekly telephonic press conferences do not count to- and continually do what they can to help us." ward these times. Criteria in determining the winners not only included 6. A no cheering in the press box statement should how press boxes/operations were run, but the quality be made in the press box before the beginning of each and timeliness of information provided, the amount of half of play. In addition, SIDS should make every attempt information presented and appropriately updated on to keep the press box quiet and escort rowdy individuals websites, personal responsiveness to media inquires as to the exits.