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June 2, 2010
Samford Athletics Wins SoCon's Germann Cup
The Samford athletics department was named the winner of the Southern Conference’s Germann Cup, which goes to the league’s best all-around women’s sports program, the league announced June 1.
Samford Athletic Director Bob Roller, Southern Conference Comissioner John Iamarino, and
Samford President Andrew Westmoreland with the Germann Cup
"We make the Germann Cup the centerpiece of the goal for our women's programs from the start of practice each fall,” Samford director of athletics Bob Roller said. “Last year, we lost the Cup to the College of Charleston by two points and made improving on that ranking this season as our top competitive goal. All Samford alums and fans should be very proud of this excellent accomplishment in such a competitive conference, and now our immediate goal is to hopefully repeat in 2011."
In just its second year as a SoCon member, Samford claimed an eight-point victory in the race for the Germann Cup. The Bulldogs were the model of consistency, finishing fourth or better in eight of nine SoCon-sponsored sports, including winning the cross country title and the North Division championship in volleyball. Samford also recorded second-place showings in soccer, basketball and tennis.
"This honor is a reflection of Samford's tremendous consistency this past year,” SoCon commissioner John Iamarino said. “The administration, coaches and student-athletes should take great pride in winning the Cup."
Samford’s women’s teams have performed at a consistently high level for several years. Prior to joining the SoCon for the 2008-09 season, Samford won the women’s All-Sports trophy in the Ohio Valley Conference in 2004, 2007 and 2008. Last season, the Bulldogs finished third in the Germann Cup standings.
“At the beginning of the year one of the big things we put as a team goal on the women’s side was that we wanted to help bring the Germann Cup here to Samford,” Samford head track and cross country coach Rod Tiffin said. “I know it was a big goal for our athletics department to be able to do that, so for our girls to be able to contribute as much as they did this year by winning a championship in cross country and finishing in the top four in both indoor and outdoor was really special for them.”
College of Charleston was second this season with 79 points. The Cougars’ top showings were in tennis, where it won the regular season and tournament titles, and volleyball, where it claimed the tournament championship. CofC also finished second in golf and tied for second in soccer.
“I love working at a place where winning the Germann Cup is important to the entire administration and entire athletics department,” Samford head volleyball coach Derek Schroeder said. “You can feel the excitement about it all year long and it helps you motivate yourself and your girls the entire year. I think it is great that we put such importance on winning a prestigious award like that.”
Elon (75.5) trailed Charleston by just 3.5 points after winning the softball tournament. The Phoenix was followed by Appalachian State with 73 points and Chattanooga with 66.5.
Furman (62), UNC Greensboro (56.5) and Western Carolina (55) finished in the sixth, seventh and eighth spots, respectively, followed by Georgia Southern (53.5), Davidson (45.5), Wofford (23) and The Citadel (18.5).
A complete list of the 2009-10 standings is listed below.
| 2009-10 GERMANN CUP STANDINGS | |
|---|---|
| 1. Samford | 87 |
| 2. College of Charleston | 79 |
| 3. Elon | 75.5 |
| 4. Appalachian State | 73 |
| 5. Chattanooga | 66.5 |
| 6. Furman | 62 |
| 7. UNC Greensboro | 56.5 |
| 8. Western Carolina | 55 |
| 9. Georgia Southern | 53.5 |
| 10. Davidson | 45.5 |
| 11. Wofford | 23 |
| 12. The Citadel | 18.5 |
