Nov. 30, 2005
American University is once again out to the early lead in the race for the 2005-06 Patriot League Presidents' Cup, the League office announced Wednesday. The Eagles own a 5.75-point lead over Bucknell and a six-point lead over Lehigh following the fall athletic season. This marks the fourth consecutive year that AU has held the lead going into the winter.
Patriot League Presidents' Cup Standings - Fall 2005
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The 2004-05 Presidents' Cup, the 15th edition of the trophy, went to the United States Military Academy. The Black Knights ended Bucknell's seven-year run as Presidents' Cup champion. Army and Bucknell are the only two schools to ever win the Patriot League Presidents' Cup, which recognizes the athletic department that achieved the most on-field success in a given year.
Following AU's 38.25 overall points are the Bison with 32.5 points and the Mountain Hawks with 32.25. Colgate is fourth (29 points), followed by Army (28.25), Lafayette (24.75), Navy (22.5) and Holy Cross (16.5).
Last year, the Black Knights won the Cup after accumulating the fifth-highest fall point total, identical to their standing this time around.
American captured three of the seven fall championships. The Eagles' volleyball, field hockey and men's cross country teams were all crowned League champions. AU volleyball will represent the Patriot League in the NCAA Tournament on Saturday against Duke in Lincoln, Neb.
Breaking it down by gender, American is third in the men's standings with 15.25 points and second in the women's standings with 23 points. Lafayette's men's programs tallied a League-high 16.75 points, while the Bucknell women are on top with 24 points.
The Leopards shared the football title with Colgate and captured the men's soccer championship. Bucknell finished first in women's cross country, and won the women's soccer tournament despite entering as the No. 4 seed.
Presidents' Cup points are awarded based on a team's performance in the regular season and postseason. In football, the points are awarded based on the final regular season standings, while points in cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field, swimming & diving, golf and rowing are handed out based on the order of finish at the League championship. In team sports with postseason tournaments, points are awarded based on a combination of the League Championship and regular season standings.