XU makes maximum impact in GCAC all-sports standings

XU makes maximum impact in GCAC all-sports standings
Ed Cassiere 06/08/10

NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana placed third for the fifth straight time in competition for the Thomas Howell Cup, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference's all-sports award. But the unofficial bang-for-the-buck award clearly belonged to the Gold Rush and Gold Nuggets in 2009-10.

Of Xavier's six teams, five earned maximum all-sports points by finishing first in the regular season (women's basketball, women's tennis and men's tennis) or winning conference championship meets (women's cross country and men's cross country). Of the other nine GCAC members, only Belhaven (baseball and softball) and William Carey (men's soccer and women's soccer) earned maximum points in more than one sport.

The GCAC awards points in 12 sports — also men's basketball, men's golf and women's volleyball — and points to members participating in NAIA-sanctioned sports where there is no GCAC competition.

Xavier finished with 40 points in the all-sports standings, trailing Belhaven (49) and Mobile (46). For the first time Belhaven won the cup — which is named for the GCAC's longtime commissioner — and ended Mobile's five-year reign at the top.

Xavier has won 23 GCAC team championships and earned 17 berths in NAIA national championships during its last five seasons. The Rush and Nuggets combined in 2009-10 for a school-record six GCAC championships, which included the women's basketball tournament.

Xavier suspended intercollegiate athletics in 2005-06 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In four seasons since then, the Rush and Nuggets have combined for 19 GCAC team championships and 14 berths in NAIA national championships.

The GCAC will look considerably different in 2010-11. Loyola, Mobile and charter members Belhaven, Spring Hill and William Carey will depart this summer for the Southern States Athletic Conference, and LSU-Shreveport will join the Red River Athletic Conference. New schools in the GCAC this fall will be Edward Waters, Fisk and Voorhies. Women's volleyball will regain intercollegiate status at Xavier this fall after a five-year absence.