SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? After winning both the Southern Conference regular season football crown and the men’s cross country title, the Appalachian State Mountaineers have taken the early lead in the race for the Commissioner’s Cup, following the completion of the fall sports season. First-year SoCon member Samford holds a narrow lead in the Germann Cup standings following strong performances in volleyball, women’s cross country and women’s soccer.
The Mountaineers completed an undefeated year in the SoCon in football on Nov. 22, while the cross country team wrapped up its fourth straight title on Nov. 1. The men’s soccer team tied for second to give ASU a total of 34 points at the end of the fall season.
Elon narrowly edged Furman to come in second following an unbeaten regular season in men’s soccer and a third place finish in football. The Phoenix have 29 points, while the Paladins have one less at 28. Wofford football finished 7-1 in conference play to finish second and help secure fourth place for the Terriers with 19 points. Following the Terriers are Georgia Southern (18), SoCon newcomer Samford (17), UNC Greensboro (16), Chattanooga (15), College of Charleston (12), Western Carolina (11), Davidson (11), The Citadel (9) and VMI (wrestling only) (0).
The Bulldogs hold first place in the Germann Cup standings following a successful fall that saw them come in first in volleyball’s North Division, second at the cross country championships and third in women’s soccer.
Close on Samford’s heels is Furman, which finished second in volleyball’s South Division, but won the tournament title to secure two bonus points. The Lady Paladins have 29 points. UNC Greensboro used a first-place finish in soccer and second in volleyball’s North Division to come in third with 26 points. Following the Spartans are College of Charleston and Davidson (22), Chattanooga and Western Carolina (21), Elon (18), Appalachian State (16), Georgia Southern (12.5), Wofford (8) and The Citadel (4.5).
The Commissioner’s and Germann Cups are awarded annually to the Southern Conference schools fielding the league’s best all-around men’s and women’s sports programs. Schools earn points based upon their regular season finish, with two bonus points going to the team that wins the conference tournament.
The Commissioner’s Cup originated in 1970 and the Germann Cup was first awarded in 1987. The latter is named after former SoCon Commissioner Ken Germann, who was instrumental in bringing women’s sports to the conference.
Appalachian State has claimed the Commissioner’s Cup 28 times since entering the SoCon in 1971, winning 16 of the last 17 cups.
Only four schools have won the Germann Cup with Furman winning 12 straight from 1993 through 2004. Appalachian State won the first six cups from 1987-1992 and grabbed two more from 2006-2007, while College of Charleston garnered the award in 2004-05. Last season Chattanooga won its first Germann Cup.
2008-09 Commissioner’s Cup (through Fall 2008)
1. Appalachian State 34
2. Elon 29
3. Furman 28
4. Wofford 19
5. Georgia Southern 18
6. Samford 17
7. UNC Greensboro 16
8. Chattanooga 15
9. College of Charleston 12
10. Western Carolina 11
11. Davidson 11
12. The Citadel 9
13. VMI (wrestling only) 0
2008-09 Germann Cup (through Fall 2008)
1. Samford 32
2. Furman 29
3. UNC Greensboro 26
4. College of Charleston 22
5. Davidson 22
6. Chattanooga 21
7. Western Carolina 21
8. Elon 18
9. Appalachian State 16
10. Georgia Southern 12.5
11. Wofford 8
12. The Citadel 4.5