Carson-Newman Reclaims South Atlantic Conference Athletic Excellence Award
April 25, 2006
(Updated June 9, 2006 to add photos)

Complete Results in PDF Format        11-29-05 Release

ROCK HILL, SC – The Carson-Newman College Eagles, who won regular-season titles in men’s soccer and women’s cross country, won the 2005-06 South Atlantic Conference Athletic Excellence Award, taking the award for the third time in the past four years, it was announced by the league office.

Carson-Newman College president Dr. Jim Netherton, left, accepts the 2005-06 South Atlantic Conference Athletic Excellence Trophy from Tusculum College president Dr. Dolph Henry, chair of the SAC Presidents Council, during the SAC's annual business meeting in Asheville, N.C., on June 8, 2006.

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.

The Eagles finished in the top three in nine of the league’s 14 sponsored sports. They finished second in football, women’s soccer and women’s basketball, and third in volleyball, baseball, softball and men’s tennis. Carson-Newman finished with total 75.5 points.

Catawba College, last year’s champion, finished second with 72.5 points. The Indians won the league title in women’s soccer, women’s golf and shared the title in baseball.

The next four spots in the standings were separated by just two points.

Tusculum College and Wingate University tied for third place with 63 points each. Tusculum shared the baseball title, while Wingate was the women’s basketball champion.

Lenoir-Rhyne College edged out Presbyterian College for fifth place. Lenoir-Rhyne finished with 61.5 points, winning conference titles in men’s basketball, softball and men’s golf. Presbyterian earned 61 points, winning titles in football. volleyball, men’s tennis and women’s tennis.

Mars Hill College collected 51.5 points for seventh place. The Lions won the men’s cross country title.

Newberry College finished with 51 points. The Indians’ finished second in both men’s and women’s golf.

2005-06 South Atlantic Conference Athletic Excellence Award Standings