SPARTANBURG, S.C. ? A second-place finish in women’s basketball and a fourth-place finish in women’s indoor track and field has helped extend Samford’s lead in the race for the Germann Cup, which goes to the Southern Conference’s top women’s athletic program, following the completion of the winter sports season. The Appalachian State men extended their lead in the Commissioner’s Cup, which goes to the league’s top men’s athletic program, following an indoor track and field championship and solid performances in wrestling and men’s basketball.
The Bulldogs (52 points), competing in their first season in the conference have not finished lower than fourth in any sport to take the Germann Cup lead going into the spring sports season. Samford finished first in volleyball’s North Division, second in cross country and third in women’s soccer in the fall to go along with its strong performance during the winter season.
Western Carolina (43.5 points) made a jump from seventh following the conclusion of the fall sports to second after the winter sports ended on the strength of a women’s basketball tournament championship and runner-up finish in indoor track and field. Last year’s Germann Cup winner, Chattanooga (40 points), sits in third place following a regular-season championship in women’s basketball. Following the Lady Mocs are College of Charleston (39.5 points), Furman (38 points), UNC Greensboro (34 points), Davidson (33.5 points), Appalachian State (33 points), Georgia Southern (30 points), Elon (26 points), Wofford (12 points) and The Citadel (7.5 points).
The Mountaineers (61 points), who are looking to win their fourth straight Commissioner’s Cup, won football and cross country championships in the fall to go along with their indoor track championship in the winter.
Chattanooga (49.5 points) made a jump from eighth to second following a strong winter that included a wrestling regular season and conference meet championship, a men’s basketball tournament championship and a fourth-place indoor track and field finish. The Citadel (37 points) made an even bigger move from 12th to third place after finishing second in men’s basketball’s South Division and securing a pair of third-place finishes in indoor track and field and wrestling. Following the Bulldogs are Furman (36 points), Davidson (36 points), UNC Greensboro (33 points), Elon (32 points), Western Carolina (32 points), Samford (31.5 points), Wofford (28 points), Georgia Southern (21 points), College of Charleston (20 points) and VMI (seven points), who competes in wrestling only.
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. Sports that only meet head-to-head during the conference tournament receive points based on order of finish at the 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 Winter 2009)
1. Appalachian State 61
2. Chattanooga 49.5
3. The Citadel 37
4. Furman 36
4. Davidson 36
6. UNC Greensboro 33
7. Elon 32
7. Western Carolina 32
9. Samford 31.5
10. Wofford 28
11. Georgia Southern 21
12. College of Charleston 20
13. VMI (wrestling only) 7
2008-09 Germann Cup (through Winter 2009)
1. Samford 52
2. Western Carolina 43.5
3. Chattanooga 40
4. College of Charleston 39.5
5. Furman 38
6. UNC Greensboro 34
7. Davidson 33.5
8. Appalachian State 33
9. Georgia Southern 30
10. Elon 26
11. Wofford 12
12. The Citadel 7.5