Morrisville State claims top ranking in NEAC Direct Reports’ Cup, finishes third in Presidents’ Cup standings

The North Eastern Athletic Conference office recently announced that Morrisville State was the top ranked program for the Athletics Direct Reports’ Cup for the 2017-18 season, an individual award that highlights good sportsmanship among conference institutions.

“While each of the awards that comprise the Presidents’ Cup are important in their own way, I think the award for sportsmanship is unique in that it really takes a sustained commitment from the entire department,” said Morrisville State Athletic Director Greg Carroll.

The Athletics Direct Reports’ Cup ranks institutions based on the overall results of sportsmanship ballots conducted throughout the year. In each sport, coaches rank all teams that competed in their sport or division based on the sportsmanship exhibited during the season.

The highest number of votes determines the top program in each sport. All scores are then combined for each individual institution, based on the number of sports sponsored, and the highest average score represents the top team in sportsmanship rankings.

Morrisville State were the top voted sportsmanlike team in four sports: men’s basketball, men’s cross country, men’s soccer and softball; while ranking second overall in three additional sports, including women’s cross country, field hockey and men’s golf.

This is the first time the Mustangs have claimed top ranks for the Direct Reports’ Cup, adding to their back-to-back Senior Woman Administrators’ Cup victories the previous two years, and overall Presidents’ Cup in 2015-16.

“Winning this award validates the sense that your athlete are competing fairly and ethically; it means those who are visiting your campus for NEAC events feel welcomes and appreciated.”

“It also says that the visiting athletes are receiving quality care from the training staff. I don’t think you can win this award unless you are succeeding in each of those areas,” he further commented.

“I just want to thank the entire Morrisville State athletic department for their commitment to sportsmanship. As the NCAA is moving forward with the Game Day the DIII Way initiative I couldn’t think of a more fitting year to win this award.”

Morrisville State finished in the top three in two additional individual cups as well, finishing third overall in the SWA Cup that highlights community service, and second in the Athletic Directors’ Cup, highlighting athletic success.

Morrisville State raised $6,436.06 for charitable organizations and completed 1,709 hours of community service initiatives with 595 total participants during last academic year.

The Mustangs finished second in the Athletics Directors’ cup with a total 73.5 points out of a possible 101 (72.8 percent) after winning three regular season and four conference tournament championships in 2017-18 in volleyball, field hockey, men’s lacrosse and women’s lacrosse.

The NEAC takes into account academics, sportsmanship and community service in addition to athletic success when awarding its Presidents’ Cup. Morrisville State won the inaugural cup in 2015-16, and since has consistently remained one of the top three institution’s in the year’s final standings.

With their top three place finishes in three different components of the overall cup, the Mustangs finished third overall in Presidents’ Cup standings in 2017-18, posting a total 19.5 points.

“I want to applaud the NEAC for embracing a President’s Cup model that embraces a holistic approach to athletic excellence,” Carroll stated.

“It’s really unique to not only our conference, but across the entire span of the NCAA. At Morrisville we take these results seriously and strive for excellence in each category. None is more important than the other.”

“Morrisville’s top three finish in the overall award each of the last three years demonstrates that we’re on the right track. Scoring well in the AD’s Cup means little if you’re doing badly in sportsmanship; excellence in both denotes a value driven program.”

“I want to thank our staff and student-athletes for keeping Morrisville State at the forefront of competition for the Presidents’ Cup. We should all be deservedly proud.”

By martha

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