Dec. 3, 2008

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - After strong performances in volleyball, women's cross country and women's soccer, Samford has taken an early lead in the Germann Cup standings released by the Southern Conference on Wednesday.

The Germann Cup goes to the best all-around women's sports program in the SoCon. Schools earn points based on their regular-season finish, with two bonus points going to the team that wins the conference tournament.

The Bulldogs hold first place in the standings with 32 points 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).

In the Commissioner's Cup standings, which goes to the top men's sports program, Samford is in sixth place after the fall with 17 points. Appalachian State leads the Commissioner's Cup standings with 34 points.

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), 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 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 Germann Cup (through Fall 2008)
1. Samford, 32 pts.
2. Furman, 29 pts.
3. UNC Greensboro, 26 pts.
4. College of Charleston, 22 pts.
5. Davidson, 22 pts.
6. Chattanooga, 21 pts.
7. Western Carolina, 21 pts.
8. Elon, 18 pts.
9. Appalachian State, 16 pts.
10. Georgia Southern, 12.5 pts.
11. Wofford, 8 pts.
12. The Citadel, 4.5 pts.

2008-09 Commissioner's Cup (through Fall 2008)
1. Appalachian State, 34 pts.
2. Elon, 29 pts.
3. Furman, 28 pts.
4. Wofford, 19 pts.
5. Georgia Southern, 18 pts.
6. Samford, 17 pts.
7. UNC Greensboro, 16 pts.
8. Chattanooga, 15 pts.
9. College of Charleston, 12 pts.
10. Western Carolina, 11 pts.
11. Davidson, 11 pts.
12. The Citadel, 9 pts.
13. VMI (wrestling only), 0 pts.