The 2010-11 academic year marked the ninthyear of the Sterling Savings Big Sky Presidents Cup Award. The Presidents Cup was created as a single award that accounts for the academic achievement of student-athletes at Big Sky institutions as well as performance on the athletic field of play. For the Cup, schools are awarded points based on five criteria:
- Individual Team Grade Point Averages
- Graduation Rates
- Number of All-Conference performers with a grade point average above 3.0-
- Women’s All-Sports Trophy Points
- Men’s All-Sports Trophy Points
OGDEN, Utah (July 7, 2011) – Sterling Savings Bank Big Sky Conference Presidents’ Cup, league commissioner Doug Fullerton announced Thursday.
The University of Montana edged rival Montana State University. Northern Arizona placed third, followed by Sacramento State.
The Sterling Savings Bank Presidents’ Cup reinforces the Big Sky’s dedication to the academic side of the student-athlete experience. Overall athletic success is combined with team grade point averages, graduation rates, and All-Conference performers with grade point averages of at least 3.0 to determine the winner.
Montana won its first Sterling Savings Bank Presidents’ Cup in 2006-07. Montana joins Weber State as schools to win multiple Presidents’ Cup in the nine-year history of the award. Weber State has won four. Eastern Washington University won the Cup in 2009-10.
“This is exciting news for our program and for everyone associated with The University of Montana,’’ said Grizzly Athletics Director Jim O’Day. “This is a departmental goal each year, so everyone in our intercollegiate athletics program should share in celebrating this great honor.’’
“To win the Presidents’ Cup is a true team effort, from our talented and dedicated student-athletes, coaches, staff and administrators, to the University’s leaders at Main Hall, to the thousands of fans across Griz Nation,’’ O’Day added.
Montana finished second overall in athletics, compiling 137 points for an average of 9.78 points per sport. The Grizzlies’ athletic season was highlighted by a conference championship from its women’s cross country team. It was the first Big Sky title for UM, and the program’s first conference championship since 1984. The Grizzlies’ women’s outdoor track and field team finished second at the outdoor track and field championship, and its indoor team placed third.
Montana also faired well in basketball, finishing second in the men’s regular-season standings. The women’s team placed fourth in the regular-season standings, and won the postseason championship. UM’s volleyball team tied for third place, while the men’s tennis team tied for second. The UM women’s tennis team finished third, and the football team tied for third.
Montana finished second overall in the academic portion. Its athletic teams finished with a combined grade point average of 3.13. Ten of its 14 teams compiled of combined GPA of 3.0 or better. The program was led by the volleyball team, which recorded a 3.39. Its indoor and outdoor women’s track programs finished with a 3.34, and the women’s cross country team had a 3.33. Montana also saw 31 of its all-conference performers finished with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Montana also compiled a graduate rate of 75 percent.
“We congratulate Montana President Dr. Royce Engstrom, Athletics Director Jim O’Day, all the staff, coaches and Grizzly student-athletes on winning the Big Sky Sterling Savings Bank Presidents’ Cup,’’ said Big Sky Commissioner Doug Fullerton. “The Cup can’t be won with just one or two programs achieving success on the field and in the classroom. It takes an entire program, and Montana displayed that all-around success this past academic year.’’
The 2010-11 academic year proved to be another banner one for the entire Big Sky Conference. Seven of the nine schools reported combined GPAs of 3.0 or better, with another just missing the mark. A total of 85 of the 125 teams posted a GPA of 3.0 or better.
Montana State’s athletic teams finished with combined GPAs of 3.22, best in the league. Weber State was second at 3.209, followed by Eastern Washington at 3.207.
The Eastern Washington volleyball team and the Montana State men’s cross country team tied for the top overall GPA. Both teams finished at 3.53.
`A total of 236 athletes who earned first or second team All-Conference honors finished with a GPA of at least 3.0, an improvement of our from 2009-10. Montana State and Sacramento State led the way with 34, followed by Northern Arizona with 33 and Montana with 31.
“A vast majority of our student-athletes continue to get the job done in the classroom,’’ Fullerton said. “As a commissioner, it’s fantastic to see so many strong academic reports. It’s a credit to the hard-working student-athletes, coaches, as well as the administrators at our institutions.’’
In May, the Big Sky announced the winners of the Men’s and Women’s All-Sports Trophies. Montana captured the Women’s All-Sports Trophy, while Northern Arizona claimed the men’s title. Sacramento State finished as the top all-around athletic program, averaging 10.07 points per sport.
Schools are awarded points based on the team finish in regular season Big Sky standings for soccer, volleyball, football, men’s and women’s basketball and tennis. Points are also awarded in men’s and women’s cross country, indoor & outdoor track and field, and women’s golf by virtue of finish at the Big Sky championship. Teams are ranked according to average points per sport.
Past Presidents’ Cup Winners
2002-03 Weber State
2003-04 Weber State
2004-05 Montana State
2005-06 Northern Arizona
2006-07 Montana
2007-08 Weber State
2008-09 Weber State
2009-10 Eastern Washington
2010-11 Montana