May 25, 2011

2010-11 Patriot League Presidents' Cup

Center Valley, Pa. - Following another strong season across the board, Bucknell has claimed its sixth consecutive and 17th overall Patriot League Presidents' Cup, it was announced on Wednesday. The Bison also won their eighth male trophy and 17th female award, sweeping the honors for the second straight year and seventh time overall.

Bucknell had a banner year that included six Patriot League titles, and the Bison accumulated 118.5 points to take the overall Presidents' Cup. That was just enough to hold off Navy, which led all schools with seven Patriot League championships and came in second place in the Presidents' Cup standings with 111.75 overall points. It was the narrowest margin between the first and second-place finisher since the 1999-00 season. Lehigh (101), Army (99) and Colgate (94) all posted strong years, and were followed in order by American (68.5), Lafayette (60) and Holy Cross (55.5).

The race for the men's trophy was even closer, as Bucknell (56.75) held off Navy (55.75) by one point to stake claim to the title. The Bison won the men's title in consecutive seasons for the first time since the 2002-03 and 2003-04 campaigns. Following the Bison and Mids were Army (53.5), Lehigh (49.75), Colgate (36), Lafayette (32.5), American (29.5) and Holy Cross (25.25).

Bucknell won the female trophy for the 14th year in a row and 17th in the past 19 seasons, though again the margin was close. Bucknell finished with 61.75 points, holding off Colgate (58), Navy (56) and Lehigh (51.25) at the top of the standings. It was the smallest margin of victory for the Bison since they shared the women's crown with Army in the 2004-05 season. Army (45.5), American (39), Holy Cross (30.25) and Lafayette (27.5) rounded out the women's standings.

Bucknell won at least one championship in each season, and wrapped up its year with an impressive spring that included four Patriot League titles. After being crowned men's soccer and men's basketball champion earlier in the year, Bucknell won the men's lacrosse, rowing and both men and women's outdoor track and field championships in the spring.

Navy won the Patriot League championship in seven of the 20 sports in which it participates. The Mids took the men's cross country championship in the fall, won the title in women's basketball, men's swimming and diving and both men and women's indoor track and field in the winter, then captured the crowns in women's lacrosse and baseball in the spring.

Lehigh and Army each won three championships to aid their high finish in the Presidents' Cup standings. The Mountain Hawks won titles in football and women's soccer in the fall before claiming the softball title in the spring, while Army won all three of its titles in the spring as the men and women's tennis and golf teams emerged as Patriot League champions.

Colgate and American complete the Patriot League title winners with a pair of championships apiece, each coming on the women's side. The Raiders won the crown in women's cross country and swimming and diving, while the Eagles were crowned Patriot League champion in field hockey and volleyball.

Bucknell and Army are the only two institutions to win the overall Patriot League Presidents' Cup, with the Bison earning 17 titles and the Black Knights taking home four (1994, 1995, 1997, 2005).

Patriot League Presidents' Cup points are awarded based on a team's performance in the regular season and postseason Patriot League standings across the League's 23 Division I sports. In cross country, football, golf, rowing, swimming and diving and track and field, the points are awarded on the final team standings. In team sports with postseason tournaments, points are awarded based on a combination of a team's finish at the Patriot League Championship and the regular-season standings.

2010-11 Patriot League Presidents' Cup Final Standings

Overall
1. Bucknell, 118.5
2. Navy, 111.75
3. Lehigh, 101
4. Army, 99
5. Colgate, 94
6. American, 68.5
7. Lafayette, 60
8. Holy Cross, 55.5

Men
1. Bucknell, 56.75
2. Navy, 55.75
3. Army, 53.5
4. Lehigh, 49.75
5. Colgate, 36
6. Lafayette, 32.5
7. American, 29.5
8. Holy Cross, 25.25

Women
1. Bucknell, 61.75
2. Colgate, 58
3. Navy, 56
4. Lehigh, 51.25
5. Army, 45.5
6. American, 39
7. Holy Cross, 30.25
8. Lafayette, 27.5