DALLAS (NCBWA) Mike Montoro, Assistant Executive Director of the National Collegiate Baseball Writers and Associate Athletics Director for Media Relations at Southern Miss, is the winner of the 32nd annual Wilbur Snypp Award, presented annually by the NCBWA for outstanding contributions to college baseball.
"Mike Montoro is one of the outstanding college baseball people nationally," said NCBWA Executive Director Bo Carter. "Together with Southern Miss Head Baseball Coach Corky Palmer, the Golden Eagles are blessed with two of the most talented individuals in their professions in the sport. The NCBWA is very proud and thankful to Mike for his wonderful contributions to college baseball."
Montoro, also past president of the college baseball writers' organization, has been directing the media relations department at Southern Miss since August, 2000. He has composed the NCBWA Directory, worked closely with several preseason and postseason NCBWA All-America squads as well as the prestigious Dick Howser Trophy, served as chief football and baseball contact at Southern Miss, and has been an integral part of the Pro-Line NCBWA Players of the Week selections.
"Mike is one of the hardest-working people in this business, and he is extremely worthy of receiving this honor," said NCBWA Associate Executive Director Russell Anderson, Assistant Commissioner of Conference USA.
The 1990 Liberty University graduate with a master's degree in sport management (1994) from West Virginia University, also has been a long-time member of the ESPN the Magazine College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-America Committee. Before coming to USM, he was Assistant Media Relations Director at Virginia Tech and Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations director at Liberty.
Montoro has been active in the NCAA World Series at Omaha, Neb., with NCBWA and is regarded as one of the top publicists in Conference USA.
"I am honored to be selected for such a prestigious award as the Wilbur Snypp," said Montoro. "College baseball is a great American past time, and it truly has been a privilege to work with the National Collegiate Baseball Writers' Association in promoting such a great game and its outstanding student-athletes, as well. I would like to thank the NCBWA for allowing me to serve the organization and for honoring me in this way."
The Southern Miss Associate AD follows a long line of illustrious persons in gaining the award, given in memory of longtime Ohio State Sports Information Director and NCBWA founder the late Wilbur (Bill) Snypp since 1975. Snypp was a noted contributor to the writers' organization, which was initiated in 1962 (and celebrating its 46th year in 2007), as well as an officer in the group. The NCBWA/Wilbur Snypp Award yearly honors a professional for contributions to the sport of collegiate baseball. Voting is done by a panel of previous winners, who include past NCAA World Series directors, College Sports Information Directors of America Hall of Fame members, decorated media members and others.