Mountaineers and Bulldogs Hold Advantage Following Winter Season

SPARTANBUG, S.C. - Appalachian State University's men and Samford University's women hold the advantage in the races for the Southern Conference's respective all-sports trophies following the completion of the winter sports season.

The Mountaineers, winners of 30 Commissioner's Cups overall, including 17 of the last 18 seasons, were Southern Conference championship in indoor track and field, adding to the two league titles they won in the fall. ASU increased its advantage from six points in the fall to 10 points through the winter season.

Chattanooga (50 points) rose from sixth to second place in the Commissioner's Cup standings, buoyed by regular season and tournament championships in wrestling and a share of the North Division title in men's basketball.

UNCG is in third place with 42 points, followed by Furman (39), Davidson (37) and Wofford (36.5).

Western Carolina (31.5), Elon (29.5), The Citadel (28.5) and College of Charleston (26) fill the seventh through tenth spots, respectively, followed by Samford (21) and Georgia Southern (15).

Samford, the winner of the Germann Cup in 2009-10, overtook UNCG for the top spot through the winter season on the strength of a win at the league's basketball tournament.

With 49 points, Samford holds a slim advantage over UNCG and Appalachian State, which are tied for second at 46.5 points. ASU made a climb in the standings with championships in both winter sports, indoor track and field and basketball. UNCG remains in striking distance of the top after a strong fall season.

After finishing no lower than fifth in any of the five sports thus far in 2010-11, Elon stands fourth with 45 points, followed by College of Charleston (37) in fifth and Furman (33.5) in sixth.

Georgia Southern (29) sits in seventh place on the ledger, while Chattanooga (25), Davidson (24), Western Carolina (22), The Citadel (17) and Wofford (14.5) complete the rankings.

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 its regular season finish, with two bonus points going to the team that wins the conference tournament.

The Commissioner's Cup was inaugurated in 1970 and the Germann Cup was first awarded in 1987. The latter is named after former SoCon Commissioner, Ken Germann, who served as commissioner of the Southern Conference from 1974-86 and spearheaded the effort to introduce women's athletics to the league.

Samford, the 2009-10 winner of the Germman Cup, is one of just five schools to ever win the trophy, joining Appalachian State, College of Charleston, Furman and Chattanooga.

 

Commissioner's Cup

(through winter men's sports)
1. Appalachian State              60

2. Chattanooga                      50

3. UNCG                                42

4. Furman                              39

5. Davidson                           37

6. Wofford                            36.5

7. Western Carolina                31.5

8. Elon                                  29.5

9. The Citadel                        28.5

10. College of Charleston       26

11. Samford                          21

12. Georgia Southern             15

 

Germann Cup

(through winter women's sports)

1. Samford                            49

2. UNCG                                46.5

    Appalachian State              46.5

4. Elon                                  45

5. College of Charleston         37

6. Furman                              33.5

7. Georgia Southern               29

8. Chattanooga                      25

9. Davidson                           24

10. Western Carolina              22

11. The Citadel                       17

12. Wofford                           14.5