Southern Illinois Posts Best Finish in MVC All-Sports Trophy Standings Since 1997
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May 21, 2003
ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Southern Illinois University, which won a men's basketball championship and had eight top-three finishes this past season, had its best showing since 1997 in the Missouri Valley Conference all-sports standings, taking fourth place, the league announced Wednesday.
Southwest Missouri State, which captured team titles in the sports of women's cross country, women's track and field (indoor and outdoor), women's swimming and diving, and baseball, won the 2002-03 Missouri Valley Conference All-Sports Trophy, Commissioner Doug Elgin announced.
The All-Sports Trophy is based on a school's average finish in each of the sponsored championships by the Missouri Valley Conference. Teams are awarded one point for first, two for second, three for third, etc., and the total accumulated points are divided by the number of sports in which a particular school competes.
Finishes in baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball are based on regular-season competition. All other sports are determined by finish at the championship tournament or championship meet.
Southern Illinois has not finished in the top four since 1997. Since joining the league in 1975, SIU has won the trophy five times (1977, 1984, 1990, 1991 and 1995).
2002-03 MVC All-Sports Standings
1. SMS 3.278
2. Illinois State 3.912
3. UNI 4.156
4. Southern Illinois 4.344
5. Wichita State 4.433
6. Indiana State 4.964
7. Creighton 5.538
8. Drake 5.933
9. Bradley 6.393
10. Evansville 7.250