Liberty University Wins 2008-09 Sasser Cup
ROCK HILL, S.C. – Liberty University has been awarded the Big South Conference’s George F. “Buddy” Sasser Cup Trophy for the 2008-09 athletic season, its second consecutive title and seventh overall. The Cup was presented to Liberty Thursday evening at the League’s annual Spring Meetings Awards Dinner and 25th Anniversary Banquet, which was held at McBryde Hall on the campus of charter member Winthrop University in Rock Hill, S.C.
In 2008-09, Liberty averaged 11.35 Sasser Cup points in 17 championship sports and accumulated a total of 193.0 points based on its finish in Conference championships, winning by 0.54 over second-place Coastal Carolina University. The Flames won six Big South championships in 2008-09, winning in football, men’s cross country, volleyball, men’s indoor track, women’s basketball and men’s outdoor track. In addition, Liberty finished runner-up in five Conference championships as well.
Coastal Carolina finished second to Liberty again this season with a 10.81 average in 17 sports and totaled 183.75 points, 9.25 overall points behind Liberty. High Point was third in the Sasser Cup standings at 8.84, followed by Radford (8.51) and Winthrop (8.43).
The Flames earned the Men’s All-Sports Trophy with their average of 11.28 (101.5 points overall in nine sports), ahead of Coastal Carolina’s 9.91 average (79.25 points overall in eight sports). Liberty won a combined five regular-season and tournament titles in men’s competition to win its second consecutive Men’s All-Sports Trophy and fourth overall. Radford was third in the Men’s All-Sports race with its 8.97 average (71.75 total points in eight sports).
Coastal Carolina reclaimed the Women’s All-Sports Trophy after finishing second last year. The Chanticleers finished with an average of 11.61 points and 104.5 overall points in nine women’s sports, winning a combined five regular-season and tournament titles in women’s competition in 2008-09. Coastal Carolina edged Liberty, which was second with an average of 11.44 (91.5 points in eight sports). High Point was third in the Women’s All-Sports race with its 10.21 average (71.5 total points in seven sports). Coastal Carolina has now won five of the six Women’s All-Sports Awards since the award’s inception in 2003-04.
The Sasser Cup Trophy, named for former Big South Commissioner Buddy Sasser, is awarded to the Big South member institution with the most successful year athletically based on an average points system. Points are awarded based on both regular-season and tournament finish in each of the League’s 18 championships, based on the number of teams participating in the regular-season and tournament, respectively. There shall be a weighted factor of 1.5 for those sports that only participate in regular-season play (football) or a tournament (cross country, track, golf), but not both. Teams tied in regular-season or tournament play shall split the points earned.
The complete listing of the 2008-09 Sasser Cup and All-Sports standings appears below, as well as the annual Sasser Cup champions.
2008-09 Sasser Cup Standings
1. Liberty.........................11.35
2. Coastal Carolina...........10.81
3. High Point......................8.84
4. Radford.........................8.51
5. Winthrop.......................8.43
6. VMI..............................8.30
7. Charleston Southern.......6.31
8. Gardner-Webb..............6.19
9. UNC Asheville...............5.07
10. Presbyterian..................2.50
Women’s All-Sports Award
1. Coastal Carolina...........11.61
2. Liberty..........................11.44
3. High Point.....................10.21
4. Winthrop........................8.28
5. Radford..........................8.11
6. Charleston Southern........7.83
7. VMI...............................7.25
8. Gardner-Webb...............6.06
9. UNC Asheville...............5.00
10. Presbyterian...................2.50
Men’s All-Sports Award
1. Liberty..........................11.28
2. Coastal Carolina..............9.91
3. Radford..........................8.97
4. VMI...............................8.89
5. Winthrop........................8.59
6. High Point.......................7.46
7. Gardner-Webb...............6.17
8. UNC Asheville................5.14
9. Charleston Southern........4.36
10. Presbyterian..................2.50
Annual Sasser Cup Champions
1985-86 - Winthrop
1986-87 - Winthrop
1987-88 - Coastal Carolina
1988-89 - Coastal Carolina
1989-90 - Coastal Carolina
1990-91 - Coastal Carolina
1991-92 - Campbell
1992-93 - Campbell
1993-94 - Campbell
1994-95 - UNC Greensboro
1995-96 - UNC Greensboro
1996-97 - UNC Greensboro
1997-98 - Liberty
1998-99 - Liberty
1999-00 - Liberty
2000-01 - Coastal Carolina
2001-02 - Liberty
2002-03 - Liberty
2003-04 - Coastal Carolina
2004-05 - Coastal Carolina
2005-06 - Coastal Carolina
2006-07 - Coastal Carolina
2007-08 - Liberty
2008-09 - Liberty