Bucknell University Athletics
Bucknell Captures Ninth PL Presidents' Cup in 12 Years
5/13/2002 8:00:00 AM | General
May 13, 2002
LEWISBURG, Pa. - The Patriot League Presidents' Cup will remain on the Bucknell University campus, a familiar home for the league's all-sports trophy. On the strength of six conference championships and four runner-up finishes, Bucknell has captured the Cup for the fifth straight year and ninth time in the 12-year history of the Patriot League, the league office announced Monday afternoon.
Bucknell in 2001-02 compiled 112.0 points to hold off a late charge from runner-up Army, which finished with 103.5 points. Lehigh (91.5), American (87.5), Colgate (77.5), Lafayette (71.5), Navy (63.5) and Holy Cross (61.5) rounded out the standings.
"To win a ninth Presidents' Cup title in 12 years is a tremendous accomplishment for Bison Athletics," said John Hardt, Director of Athletics and Recreation. "It is the result of a great deal of hard work and commitment from our student-athletes and coaches. We are proud to sponsor a diverse, broad-based athletics program that has achieved success in so many different programs."
The Bison dominated women's competition, winning five of the 11 championships this year en route to a league-record 60.5 points in the race for the Women's Presidents' Cup. Bucknell's women won the Cup for the fifth consecutive year, outdistancing Army by 10 points. American (45.5), Lehigh (41.5), Lafayette (37.0), Colgate (36.0), Navy (33.0) and Holy Cross (31.5) completed the women's standings.
Bucknell won women's championships in cross country, soccer, basketball and indoor and outdoor track and field, while claiming a second-place finish in swimming and diving.
In the Men's President's Cup running, Army nosed out the Bison by just 1.5 points. The Black Knights, who are the only program to win an overall Presidents' Cup other than Bucknell, won three spring titles to edge past Bucknell with 53.0 points. The Bison (51.5) trailed Lehigh (50.0) following the winter season but slipped by the Mountain Hawks in the spring, thanks in part to a Patriot League co-championship in lacrosse. American (42.0), Colgate (41.5), Lafayette (34.5), Navy (30.5) and Holy Cross (30.0) rounded out the men's standings.
Bucknell's overall total of 112.0 points was the fourth-highest in league history and highest since 1995, which was the last year the conference consisted of eight full-time members. Fordham left the league following that year, and American became the league's eighth member in 2001-02.
Presidents' Cup points are awarded based on a team's performance in the final Patriot League standings. In football and individual sports, such as cross country, swimming and diving and track and field, the points are awarded based on final team standings. In team sports, such as basketball, field hockey, soccer and volleyball, points are awarded based on a combination of the league championship tournament and regular-season standings (for those that do not qualify for the postseason tournament).
Bucknell sponsors 26 intercollegiate sports, 14 for women and 12 for men, at the Division I level (1-AA in football). It is a charter member of the Patriot League and continually ranks among the top institutions in student-athlete graduation rate in Division I every year. Bucknell ranks third in Division I in producing Verizon Academic All-Americans.
2001-02 Patriot League Presidents' Cup Final Standings
1. Bucknell 112.0
2. Army 103.5
3. Lehigh 91.5
4. American 87.5
5. Colgate 77.5
6. Lafayette 71.5
7. Navy 63.5
8. Holy Cross 61.5
2001-02 Patriot League Women's Cup Final Standings
1. Bucknell 60.5
2. Army 50.5
3. American 45.5
4. Lehigh 41.5
5. Lafayette 37.0
6. Colgate 36.0
7. Navy 33.0
8. Holy Cross 31.5
2001-02 Patriot League Men's Cup Final Standings
1. Army 53.0
2. Bucknell 51.5
3. Lehigh 50.0
4. American 42.0
5. Colgate 41.5
6. Lafayette 34.5
7. Navy 30.5
8. Holy Cross 30.0
All-Time Patriot League Presidents' Cup Champions
1990-91 Bucknell
1991-92 Bucknell
1992-93 Bucknell
1993-94 Army
1994-95 Army
1995-96 Bucknell
1996-97 Army
1997-98 Bucknell
1998-99 Bucknell
1999-2000 Bucknell
2000-01 Bucknell
2001-02 Bucknell
