BYU wins the WCC Commissioner’s Cup
Dec. 8, 2012; Provo, UT, USA; Cosmo, the Brigham Young Cougars mascot, leads the Cougarettes during the first half against the Utah Utes at the Marriott Center. Mandatory Credit: Douglas C. Pizac-USA Today Sports
Nobody would have blamed University of San Diego President Mary Lyons for running up to the podium mid-presentation and delivering a Chelios-esque hip-check to WCC Commissioner Jamie Zaninovich. After all, USD had taken home the hardware five years in a row. In fact, they became the first school to win the WCC Commissioner’s Cup five times, let alone five times in a row. Even more remarkable is that the award has only been given out 12 times. Five out of twelve times – more certain than a Steph Curry 3-point jumper! So why delay the inevitable?
Because this summer’s gonna be different!
No extra points for a “Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer” reference?
No?
Okay.
In its second year with the WCC, Brigham Young University has laid claim to the WCC Commissioner’s Cup.
At the end of each academic year, the WCC awards the Commissioner’s Cup based on the conference play of the institutions’ sports teams. Each school receives points based on their conference standing in each WCC-affiliated sport, both men’s and women’s. This year, BYU edged out Cup powerhouse USD 78-74. Saint Mary’s ended up in third place with 65.5 points.
In addition to the overall win, BYU also registered a clean sweep of the Men’s All-Sports award and the Women’s All-Sports award. The Cougars edged out San Diego and San Francisco by half a point on the men’s side, and took San Diego by three and a half points on the women’s side. The last school to sweep the awards was, you guessed it, San Diego in 2008.
BYU’s strong showing in the Commissioner’s Cup was buoyed by an outright championship in women’s soccer, a co-championship in women’s volleyball and second-place finishes in baseball, cross country and men’s tennis. Overall, BYU’s only showing in the bottom half of the standings was the seventh place finish in women’s tennis.
BYU AD Tom Holmoe ultimately attributed the Cup win to the athletes: “It’s all about our student athletes. That’s what this conference is all about. We do everything we can with our resource available to help them achieve their greatest goals and dreams.” He also praised the athletes from all the WCC schools, noting that each school could send dozens of amazing student-athletes up to the stage and be proud.
For the WCC’s official release, head over to http://www.wccsports.com/genrel/060613aab.html.