May 27, 2008

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. - For the second year in a row and the third time in five years, Samford was awarded the Ohio Valley Conference Women's All-Sports Trophy, the league office announced on Tuesday. Samford finished third in the men's standings.

Director of Athletics Bob Roller accepted the trophy at the league's annual Honors Luncheon Friday in Nashville.

"Each of our teams met at the beginning of this school year and made winning the All-Sports Trophy a top priority for the respective sports," Roller said. "We are proud of the broad-based success and consistency our women have shown in winning this award for the second consecutive year, and it's an honor to accept this award."

Samford won the trophy in its first year in the conference in 2003-04, and the school won the award again last year.

This year, Samford won the trophy with 75.5 total points. Samford won a conference title in tennis this year, and the Bulldogs posted second-place finishes in soccer, cross country, basketball and outdoor track and field.

Samford finished two points ahead of Jacksonville State, who finished second in the standings with 73.5 points. Murray State came in third in the women's standings with 71 points.

On the men's side, Samford placed third in the standings with 54 points. The men's tennis and baseball teams each finished second in the league.

Eastern Kentucky won the Men's All-Sports Trophy with 70.5 points. Eastern Illinois finished second in the standings with 59.5 points.

The All-Sports Trophies are symbols of overall athletic excellence in Conference-sponsored championships.