Alison Smallwood nets ‘Mountaineer Playbook’ its first Gracie Award

Alison Smallwood, a Sports and Adventure Media major in the WVU Reed School of Media and Communications, was recognized with a digital media award at the 51st Gracie Awards for her “Mountaineer Playbook” segment “3-in-30.”

The Gracie Awards were established in 1975 and created by, for and about women in all facets of media and entertainment. Presented by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (AWMF), the Gracies recognize outstanding women in news and entertainment across the globe. Industry leaders evaluate nominations from professionals and students in television, digital media and radio.  

“A Gracie Award can affirm a voice, elevate a career and open a door. For our student winners especially, it can be a moment that says, ‘You belong here,’” said AWMF President Becky Brooks. “Through the Gracies, we are not only celebrating excellence—we are helping create the opportunities that strengthen the future of women in media.”

Smallwood’s win marks the fourth year in a row that a student in the WVU Reed School has received a Gracie Award. From 2023 to 2025, students in “WVU News” received multiple Gracies, and Smallwood’s award this year is the first for “Mountaineer Playbook,” which also won its first regional Emmy in September 2025.  

Smallwood was the social media anchor and producer for “Mountaineer Playbook” for the fall 2025 semester, and she graduated with top honors in December 2025. She is now pursuing a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence Marketing at WVU. 

Smallwood’s social media “3-in-30” segments gave 30-second-or-less previews of three stories to build anticipation ahead of an upcoming "Mountaineer Playbook” episode and engage online audiences.

“Being the first Gracie Award recipient for ‘Mountaineer Playbook’ is something I'm incredibly proud of,” said Smallwood. “I put a lot of hard work into everything I created that semester. There were a lot of long hours, constant learning and pushing myself to improve. Receiving a Gracie Award made all that hard work feel worth it, and it reminded me that dedication and perseverance really do pay off.”

“This is a first for ‘Mountaineer Playbook,’” said Anjelica Trinone, a Sports and Adventure Media teaching instructor. “Ali was the face of social media for ‘Mountaineer Playbook.’ She put so much thought into making every segment and post a creative, engaging representation of our program. For many viewers, social media is their first introduction to ‘Mountaineer Playbook.’ Ali had a great feel for what would connect with audiences of all ages, and I think that’s what made her work stand out.”

The winning “3-in-30” segments were some of the last videos Smallwood created before graduating, and they pulled together everything she learned during her time in the WVU Reed School.

“My professors constantly challenged me to try new ideas and step outside my comfort zone. They taught me that it’s OK if something doesn't work the first time as long as you learn from it and keep going,” Smallwood said. “Creating all my ‘3-in-30’s pushed me to tell stories in a creative, engaging way, and I truly believe everything I learned at the WVU Reed School played a big role in helping me earn this award.”

“Mountaineer Playbook” and “WVU News” are best known for their broadcasts, but, anticipating industry shifts, the WVU Reed School has committed to helping students learn to create content for every platform. 

“Seeing Ali win such a prestigious award shows that investment is paying off,” Trinone said. “It shows our students that great journalism isn’t just limited to television anymore, and we can really help them be ready for any position in the sports world.”

Smallwood, accompanied by Trinone, attended a luncheon in New York City where regional professional and student Gracie Award recipients were honored. 

“It was so exciting to be surrounded by such talented and inspiring women in the media industry. Everyone involved made each recipient feel celebrated and appreciated,” said Smallwood.

Speakers and presenters included Monica Bloom, Chair of the AWM Foundation and Chief Marketing Officer of Kino Lorber Media Group; Rebecca Jarvis, the chief business, economics and technology correspondent for ABC News and the host, creator, and managing editor of “Real Biz with Rebecca Jarvis”; Sara Sidner, CNN Anchor and Senior National Correspondent; Megan Van Tine, Director of Corporate Communications at Hallmark Media; and Andrea Canning, correspondent for Dateline NBC.

Smallwood’s favorite part of attending the luncheon was hearing successful women share advice, encouragement and their experiences starting out in the industry.

“It made me even more excited about my own future in sports media,” she said. 

“The Gracie Awards recognize some of the most accomplished women in media, so seeing one of our own students honored on that stage was incredibly special,” said Trinone. “As a professor, you always hope you’re preparing students for success in the real world. Watching Ali represent ‘Mountaineer Playbook’ and earn that recognition was a reminder of why we do what we do. I am so proud of her.”

Smallwood is grateful to everyone at the WVU Reed School who encouraged and supported her, and this award was the best possible way to cap off her undergrad experience at WVU. 

“Winning a Gracie Award is something I'll always be proud of, and I'm so thankful for the opportunities and experiences that helped me get there,” she said. “I'll always be proud to represent WVU, and I hope this achievement encourages other students to take chances, work hard and believe in themselves.”

“WVU News” and “Mountaineer Playbook” episodes are produced biweekly during the academic year. Viewers can watch on West Virginia Public Broadcasting, KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh, the City of Morgantown’s Public Access Channel and on HD Media's website. You can also watch current and past episodes online at journalism.wvu.edu and on YouTube @WVUReedSchool.

To learn more about the Gracie Awards, visit allwomeninmedia.org/gracies.