Dec. 11, 2009

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Samford University holds the early lead in the Germann Cup standings, which goes to the top all-around women's athletics program in the Southern Conference, the league announced on Friday.

Samford holds an eight-point advantage on its nearest competitor in the standings. The Bulldogs earned 33.5 points with first-place finishes in cross country and volleyball (North Division) and a tie for second in women's soccer.

There is a three-way tie for second place among College of Charleston, Elon and Furman, each of which has amassed 25.5 points. College of Charleston won the volleyball tournament and finished tied for second in women's soccer while Furman won the South Division in volleyball and placed fourth in the league cross country meet. Elon's top fall finishes were second at the cross country championship and a tie for fourth in women's soccer.

Closely following the three teams in second are Appalachian State (24.5) in fifth, UNC Greensboro (24) in sixth and Davidson (23.5) in seventh. Western Carolina (13), Chattanooga (12), Georgia Southern (10), Wofford (10) and The Citadel (9.5) complete the standings.

In the Commissioner's Cup standings, which goes to the top overall men's athletics program in the SoCon, Samford tied for 10th with Western Carolina with 10 points each. Samford only competes in two of the three fall sports sponsored by the league, competing in football and cross country, but not fielding a team in men's soccer.

Appalachian State, winners of 29 Commissioner's Cups overall, including 16 of the last 17 seasons, is leading the standings. The Mountaineers were conference champions in two of the three fall sports, football and cross country. ASU's men's soccer team finished in a three-way tie for fifth place to earn seven points, giving the Mountaineers 31 points overall.

In second place is Elon with 29 points. The Phoenix finishes fifth or better in all three fall sports, including second in football and third in men's soccer.

Furman is in third place in the race for the Commissioner's Cup with 24 points while Wofford's regular season and tournament championships in men's soccer vaulted it to fourth place with 21.5 points.

UNC Greensboro (19 points), Davidson (18) and Chattanooga (17.5) fill the fifth through seventh spots, respectively, followed by College of Charleston (16), Georgia Southern (13.5), Samford (10), Western Carolina (10) and The Citadel (9.5).

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. A school earns 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.

Germann Cup
(through fall women's sports)
1. Samford 33.5
2t. College of Charleston 25.5
2t. Elon 25.5
2t. Furman 25.5
5. Appalachian State 24.5
6. UNC Greensboro 24
7. Davidson 23.5
8. Western Carolina 13
9. Chattanooga 12
10t. Georgia Southern 10
10t. Wofford 10
12. The Citadel 5

Commissioner's Cup
(through fall men's sports)
1. Appalachian State 31
2. Elon 29
3. Furman 24
4. Wofford 21.5
5. UNC Greensboro 19
6. Davidson 18
7. Chattanooga 17.5
8. College of Charleston 16
9. Georgia Southern 13.5
10t. Samford 10
10t. Western Carolina 10
12. The Citadel 9.5