By james art 
John Antonik
Wheeling – John Antonik, Senior Director of Athletics Content at West Virginia University and author of four WVU sports books, was selected as the winner of the Morehouse 2025 Award by the West Virginia Sports Writers Association.
The award was awarded for its contribution to journalism and was named the late Director of Sports Information at the University of Marshall and Television operator Jean Morehaus, who died in the 1970 aircraft crash, which took the life of 75 Marshall, Coaches, Employees and Fans. The award has been awarded since 1971 with a list of recipients of the WVSWA.org website.
Antonik will be awarded the 78th annual dinner at the winning awards on May 4 at the Bridgeport Congress Center.
“Although I was only two when Marshall crashed,” Antonik said, “I’m well acquainted with Jean Morehaus and the meaning of Morehouse’s name in sports journalism in West Virginia. I am also a big fan of his son Keith’s work in Huntington, so that I can be associated with the name of Morehouse in any way or form beyond the flattering.
“It is a great honor for me to receive the Morehouse Award and I am truly grateful to everyone who would think about me.”
A native of New Martinsville and a graduate of Magnolia High School, he received a bachelor’s degree in journalism plus a master’s degree in sports management from WVU.
He is currently responsible for editorial supervision, reporting and writing features for the WVU Department of Interior Athletics Website, Wvusports.com.
Antonik is a member of the WVU Sports Hall Committee and teams for all time for men’s basketball and football and often consults in WVU Sports History. It serves as a co-host in Mountaineer Sports Network football shows before and after the game and contributed to other live shows, including basketball games for home women.
Antonik joined WVU employees in 1991 after working for one year as a graduation assistant and two years as a student assistant at the Sports Communications Service.
Since 1991-98, Antonik has served as an associate director of sports information, helping to coordinate publicity efforts for the 19 WVU sports, as well as work with basketball and men’s basketball programs for mountaineer.
He won several Cosida writing quotes during his term as an associate director for sports information, including the Best in the Nation Award for his work on the 1992 Basketball Media Guide Media in addition to publicity obligations, he He also directed the WVU Community Relationship Program.
In 1999, he became the director of digital media with the responsibility for promoting the 17 Inter -Collective Sports of WVU across the world network. Antonik has participated in all aspects of the Department Web Services Program, including editorial supervision, site design and content development.
He is the author of four books on the sports of the mountain: football at the University of West Virginia, the history of the mountaineers; Roll the carpet. 101 WVU basketball seasons; The backyard of the Wvu-Pitt football rivalry, which was the finalist of the Book of the Year in 2012 in the category of sports; And his most effort, Saturday photos: Football at the University of West Virginia, published in 2015.
In 2008, he received the Prize for Life Achievement Award from Magnolia High School. And in 2010, he was the recipient of Martin Paul B. (BCC), presented by the WVU Graduates Association of an individual who helped preserve and maintain WVU traditions.
He is a previous member of the WVVVVV Sport Writers Association
A resident of Morgantown, he and my wife Melinda have two children, daughter Sydney and son Jack.