PDF Version (with complete point breakdown)

ROCK HILL, SC – The Carson-Newman College Eagles, who either won or shared the conference championship in four of the league’s 14 sponsored sports and finished second in two others, won the 2003-04 South Atlantic Conference Athletic Excellence Award for the second year in a row, it was announced by the league office.

Carson-Newman College president Dr. Jim Netherton, left, is presented the 2003-04 South Atlantic Conference Athletic Excellence Award from Dr. Mick Zais, president of Newberry College, during the league's annual meeting.

Members of the Carson-Newman College staff show off the 2003-04 South Atlantic Conference Athletic Excellence Award. Front row, from left, Dr. Jim Netherton, president and Vickee Hollifield, Senior Woman Administrator. Back row, from left, Dr. Ross Brummett, faculty athletic representative and David Barger, director of athletics.

The Eagles had an eight-point lead after the winter sports season, and held off any challengers in the spring by winning the league crown in men’s golf. The Eagles also won or shared the top spot in men’s and women’s soccer and football. They were second in volleyball and cross country.

Carson-Newman joins Presbyterian College, a four-time winner (1997-1999, 2000-2002), and former SAC member Elon, which won the first eight titles from 19889-1997, as multiple winners of the award. Former SAC member Gardner-Webb won the award in 2000.

The SAC Athletic Excellence Award is presented annually to the member athletic department that earns the highest overall finish based on final regular season standings in each of the 14 conference-sponsored sports. Points are based on final tournament standings in the sports of men’s cross country, women’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s golf. The trophy is presented at the SAC Annual Business Meeting at the conclusion of each year.

Tusculum College had its best finish since joining the league. The Pioneers had a strong spring by winning the women’s tennis title and finishing second in men’s tennis and baseball and jumped from fourth place to second with 74 total points.

Catawba College, which had finished second the previous two years, finished third with 71.5 points. The Indians won the baseball title and shared first place in football and women’s basketball.

Presbyterian College, a four-time champion of the award, finished fourth with 69 points. The Blue Hose were league champions in volleyball and men’s tennis and finished second ni women’s tennis, softball, men’s soccer and women’s soccer.

Wingate University finished fifth with 65 points. The Bulldogs shared the women’s basketball championship, and finished second in softball.

Lenoir-Rhyne College finished with 58 points for sixth place. The Bears won the women’s golf championship for the second year in a row as well as the softball crown, and shared the top spot in men’s and women’s basketball.

Mars Hill College was next with 41 points. The Lions won the men’s and women’s cross country championships.

Newberry College picked up 32 points. The Indians’ top finish was fourth in men’s basketball.