South Dakota State earned its third overall and second-straight Summit League Commissioner’s Cup title with a total of 85.5 points at the conclusion of the 2013-14 academic year.
The Jackrabbits also captured both the Dr. William Steinbrecher Men’s All-Sports Award and the Dr. Helen Smiley Women’s All-Sports Award.
“I’m incredibly proud of our student-athletes, coaches and the entire athletic staff who all played a significant role in this achievement, and I’m most proud because it’s not just one sport, but a department-wide honor, and everybody plays a role in our success. We always strive to succeed in competition, in the classroom and in the community, and this award showcases the hard work, dedication and talent of everyone here at SDSU,” Director of Athletics Justin Sell said. “Our success wouldn’t be possible without the great support on campus, which starts with President David Chicoine, and the support from our fans and alumni across the state, the region and the country.”
South Dakota State accumulated a total of 85.5 points en route to its second-straight Commissioner’s Cup title and third overall. North Dakota State placed second with 69 points, edging-out Denver, which finished third, by one point. South Dakota finished in fourth place, followed closely by IUPUI, Fort Wayne, Western Illinois and Omaha.
The Jackrabbits captured league titles in men’s cross country and women’s basketball while placing among the top-three in 14 of its 18 eligible sports, including nine first or second place finishes. SDSU were runners-up in a pair of men’s sports to claim its second consecutive men’s all-sports award and finished second in five women’s sports to record its third overall women’s all-sports award.
2013-14 Final Commissioner’s Cup Standings
1. South Dakota State – 85.5
2. North Dakota State – 69
3. Denver – 68
4. South Dakota – 64
5. IUPUI – 62
6. Fort Wayne – 58.5
7. Western Illinois – 45
8. Omaha – 42
Dr. William Steinbrecher Men’s All-Sports Award
1. South Dakota State – 35.5
2. Denver – 29
3. North Dakota State – 23.5
South Dakota – 23.5
5. IUPUI – 23
6. Fort Wayne – 21
7. Western Illinois – 20.5
8. Omaha – 15
Dr. Helen Smiley Women’s All-Sports Award
1. South Dakota State – 50
2. North Dakota State – 45.5
3. South Dakota – 40.5
4. Denver – 39
IUPUI – 39
6. Fort Wayne – 37.5
7. Omaha – 27
8. Western Illinois – 24.5
The Commissioner’s Cup is given annually to the member institution that collects the most combined points in relationship to placement in league-sponsored sports between its men’s and women’s athletic programs, while the All-Sports Awards are given to the institutions that accumulate the most points in men’s sports and women’s sports. The men’s award is named for former Valparaiso Director of Athletics Dr. William Steinbrecher, who guided the Crusaders from 1979-2004, while the women’s award is named for former Western Illinois Director of Athletics Dr. Helen Smiley, who headed WIU’s athletic program from 1994-2001.
