The Southern Athletic Association (SAA) announced on April 27 that Rhodes has won the 2014-2015 Presidents Trophy, which signifies the SAA institution with the overall best varsity athletic program.
Each year the SAA awards an all-sports trophy called the “Presidents Trophy” to the member school that accumulates the highest points total in an academic year. The points are given for final standings in the regular season for sports that play a regular season and for the order of finish in championship play for those that do not. Men’s and women’s teams are scored separately and all points added together to determine the Presidents Trophy winner. Member institutions must declare and sponsor a sport as varsity status with the NCAA to participate and score points.
The Lynx trailed Centre 475-430 heading into the spring season, but used clutch performances from the spring sports teams to claim the title.
The final margin between the two schools was 845-830. Birmingham-Southern College claimed third place with 747.5 points, while Berry College grabbed fourth place with a 680 total. Sewanee rounded out the top five by recording a season-long 635 points.
The Lynx claimed SAA titles in women′s swimming and diving, field hockey, men’s basketball, women’s track and field, and women’s golf. Rhodes also claimed SAA tournament titles in women’s basketball and women’s lacrosse.
“It is an honor for our student-athletes and athletic staff to be recognized as the most successful athletic program in the Southern Athletic Association,” says Rhodes athletic director Mike Clary. “We receive tremendous support from President Troutt, our faculty, and staff. We are also proud that Rhodes ranks No. 1 in the number of student-athletes earning All SAA Honor Roll.”