CCU Wins RMAC Sportsmanship Cup
Awarded 2021-22 title for superior ethical conduct after dominant sports season
On the heels of arguably the most successful year in Colorado Christian University (CCU) athletics, the Cougars were awarded a record fifth consecutive Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) Sportsmanship Cup. It is CCU’s ninth Sportsmanship Cup since the award’s inception in 2006-07.
Voted on by coaches and other representatives, the RMAC Sportsmanship Cup honors the institution which best upholds the sportsmanship ideals held by the RMAC and the NCAA. CCU has been consistently recognized for its sportsmanship under Athletic Director Brian Wall’s leadership.
“We are so proud of our athletic director, Brian Wall, and for the accomplishments of all of our teams, players, and coaches,” said Jim McCormick, senior vice president and vice president of Student Life. “This honor aligns well with our school’s mission. We can’t stand for the cause of Christ unless who we are represents the way of life He has laid out before us. Under Wall’s leadership, our student-athletes are showing character along the very difficult pathways of a regular season, academics, athletics, relationships, and life.”
CCU’s priority is excellence in sportsmanship and competitive outcomes, and the 2021-22 season included impressive team and individual achievements in both areas. CCU student-athletes won two RMAC championships, qualified for several NCAA national tournaments, broke numerous school records, and were awarded the RMAC Sportsmanship Cup. In addition, two CCU coaches were named RMAC Coach of the Year.
“Cougar athletics has had a great year representing Jesus Christ inside and outside of the competitive arena," said Wall. “This year our student-athletes and coaches clearly demonstrated that character and competitive excellence can go hand in hand.”
Below is a list of accomplishments made by CCU teams and players during the 2021-22 athletic year:
- The CCU Women's Golf team won the RMAC tournament for the first time in University history. The team went on to finish second in the NCAA West Region and 12th at the NCAA National Championship. This marked the first time that any RMAC women's golf team qualified for the NCAA National Tournament. CCU's Faith Kilgore finished eighth overall and was an All-American. Additionally, the team won the coveted RMAC Brechler Award, finishing as the top-ranked women's golf academic team in the conference, with six team members recognized as NCAA Academic All-America Scholars. Head coach Philip Nelson was named RMAC Coach of the Year.
- The Softball team won the RMAC tournament for the first time in University history and qualified for the NCAA Regional Tournament. Centerfielder Sami Edwards was named NCAA First Team All-American. Head coach Larry Hays was named RMAC Coach of the Year.
- The Men's and Women's Cross-Country teams, led by head coach Jon Poag, set school records at the NCAA National Championship, with the men finishing 10th and the women 22nd; three XC athletes received All-America honors: Ryder Searle, Josh Pierantoni, and Paige Tack. Searle earned Track All-America honors as well as Academic All-America accolades for his outstanding efforts in both the classroom and competition.
- The Men's Golf team finished eighth in the NCAA Regional Tournament, narrowly missing a berth in the NCAA National Tournament. Adam Duncan was named RMAC Freshman of the Year and was named to the NCAA Division II All-Freshman Team.
- Michelle Kuipers finished eighth in the NCAA Indoor National Track and Field Championships in the 800M run and was named an NCAA All-American. Shannon King qualified for the Outdoor NCAA Track and Field Championships in the 3000M steeplechase.
Currently, CCU has 245 student-athletes competing among 15 men’s and women’s sports. Since joining NCAA Division II, CCU has had 28 student-athletes earn status as NCAA All-America Athletes, and seven have been recognized as NCAA Academic All-America Scholars.
To learn more about CCU sports, visit ccu.edu/athletics/.