Despite Sweep in Spring Championships, Defending Champion Spalding finishes runner-up

Newport News, VA – The Lynx of Lindenwood Belleville have been the team to chase throughout the 2011-12 Championship season.  Belleville started out hot, winning two of the USCAA’s six fall sports, golf and men’s soccer.  Nearing the finish line, Spalding was almost the team to top Lindenwood.  Spalding, who were 2010-11 Director’s Cup Champions, swept the spring sport season winning titles in softball and baseball.  However, Lindenwood’s softball squad would be the difference maker in the point totals, as they picked up 40 points for their sixth place finish, clinching the title with 594 total points, 61 more than the Golden Eagles of Spalding.

Additional point earners for the Lynx this season were their men’s cross country team (6th), women’s cross country team (10th), volleyball team (T-5), women’s soccer team(T-7), women’s basketball team (T-9), and men’s basketball team (T-7).  Lindenwood qualified for 9 of the 10 championship sports they compete in.

Lindenwood Athletic Director Scott Spinner stated, “Winning the USCAA Director’s Cup means a great deal to our young athletics department.  This achievement is the manifestation of hard work and dedication on the part of every coach at Lindenwood – Belleville.  It is one of the greatest honors any athletic department can receive.”

Lindenwood’s athletic department came a long way to achieve this award, in a short period of time.  In 2009-10, when Lindenwood – Belleville athletics began with one sport (men’s soccer), the future was uncertain.  “Today, to have an athletics department sponsoring 23 sports and receive the USCAA Director’s Cup, I could not be more proud,” says Spinner.

Lindenwood was awarded the Director’s Cup by Executive Director Bill Casto during the opening session of the 2012 Convention.  Head Softball coach Charlie Kennedy was on hand to receive the award for Spinner who was unable to attend due to the birth of his second child. 

The top 20 Director’s Cup standings are posted below.  Rounding out the top five were Southern Virginia (3^rd), Rochester College (4^th), and The Apprentice School (5^th).