WMSC and Red Hawk Sports Network Earn Multiple National Honors at 2025 CBI Awards

Montclair College of Communication and Media (CCOM) student-led organizations WMSC 90.3 FM and the Red Hawk Sports Network (RHSN) earned national recognition at the 2025 College Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI) National Student Electronic Media Convention October 22-25 in Denver, taking home eight broadcast media awards. 

WMSC received six national awards, including first-place for:

• Best Student Media Website – wmscradio.com
• Best Audio Hard News Reporting – Traffic Deaths and Vision Zero
• Best Video Feature News Reporting – Scaling Back

The station also placed nationally in several additional categories:

• Radio Station of the Year – 3rd Place
• Best Hard News Reporting – California Fires Aftermath – 3rd Place
• Best Sports Reporting – March Madness Sweet 16 – 4th Place

“These awards reflect the dedication, creativity and professionalism of our student journalists,” said Ben Capp, WMSC News Director. “Each project represents hours of hard work and a shared commitment to telling stories that matter to our community.”

Red Hawk Sports Network Wins First 1st Place Award

RHSN secured two major national awards:

• Best Live Sports Broadcast Video for coverage of the Men’s NJAC Basketball Finals — 1st Place 
• Best SportsCast Video for the studio show Inside the Nest — 3rd Place

This is the first time RHSN captured top honors at the CBI Awards.

“This is our first, first-place finish at the CBI Awards after years of being nominated,” said Professor Stacy Gitlin. “We’ve worked incredibly hard on our live broadcasts—growing from three cameras and a pair of broadcasters to a full production with a 15-minute live pregame, sideline reporters, replays, packages and interviews across a five-camera setup. This is a huge accomplishment, and I’m really proud of our students.”

RHSN production intern Ryan Tullio said the crew hit its stride at the perfect time.

“All teams hope to peak heading into the playoffs, and that’s exactly what happened for us,” said Tullio. “Everything clicked. That broadcast became the perfect warm-up for hosting the NCAA Tournament. We were really proud of the work we put out.”

Professor Bryan DeNovellis praised the evolution of RHSN’s flagship studio program.

“Inside the Nest is one of our two studio shows—but it’s the flagship, the way SportsCenter is for ESPN,” said DeNovellis. “We’re constantly growing and experimenting with new ways to use the studio. Our coverage of Montclair State’s 18 varsity sports (now 19 with the addition of Women’s Flag Football in the Spring) is something we’re truly proud of. Taking third place in such a competitive field was incredible, and we have our sights set on the top next year.”

Students Lead on the National Stage

Eleven WMSC students attended the convention, participating in three days of workshops, panels and networking covering journalism, production, leadership and digital media innovation. Four students were panelists, sharing their expertise with peers from across the country. The awards ceremony was emceed by CCOM Professor, Tom Kaminski.

“When you give students the freedom to explore and discover, they soar. These national awards demonstrate the talent and drive of our team,” said Anabella Poland, WMSC General Manager and president of the CBI.

About WMSC 90.3 FM

WMSC 90.3 FM is Montclair State University’s student-operated radio station, broadcasting on 90.3 FM and streaming globally at wmscradio.com. The station features music, talk, sports and news programming produced by students pursuing hands-on experience in journalism, broadcasting and media production.

​​About Red Hawk Sports Network (RHSN) 

RHSN launched in the Fall of 2019 and is a joint venture between the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and Montclair State University’s College of Communication and Media. RHSN covers all 18 varsity athletic teams at Montclair State, with live streams of all home contests on YouTube with a color and play-by-play commentator calling the game. 

About the College of Communication and Media: The College of Communication and Media (CCOM) offers a range of dynamic programs to a talented and diverse student population of over 2,000. Offering degrees in advertising, animation and visual effects, communication and media studies, film and television, journalism and digital media, social media and public relations, sports communication and an online, asynchronous MA devoted to strategic communication and media, the College prepares the next generation of communication and media practitioners and leaders. Founded in 2012 and housed in world-class, state-of-the-art facilities just 12 miles from New York City, the College is the only program in the country that offers the following opportunities for students: a radio station (WMSC), newspaper (The Montclarion), strategic communications agency (Hawk Communications), sports network (Red Hawk Sports Network) streaming platform (Hawk+), digital newsroom (News Lab) and studio, and a social media listening center (Joetta DiBella and Fred C. Sautter III Center for Strategic Communication). The College also has a Student Success team, including dedicated Career Services and Advising professionals who prepare students for the internship and job search process. Student projects and programs have recently received national recognition from PRSSA’s Bateman Competition, an Edward R. Murrow Award, several Marconi Award nominations, and College Television Awards (“Student Emmy” awards) from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. The College is also home to the Center for Cooperative Media, which serves the public by working to grow and strengthen local journalism and media. Through $7.1M in grants awarded over the last five years, the Center focuses on collaboration in journalism, media equity, media coaching and training, civic science and research. The Center is also home to the NJ Civic Information Consortium, the largest funder of media and journalism in  New Jersey, granting more than $10M over the last five years to support independent local media, journalism and training initiatives.

Ready to Start Your Montclair Journey?

Prospective Students and Parents: Plan your visit and take your first step in applying to become a Red Hawk. Learn more about our Journalism and Digital Media or Film and Television majors in the College of Communication and Media.