CHICAGO — For the second time in the 10-year history of the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference (CCAC) All-Sports Cup standings, one point has separated the top two league members. Olivet Nazarene University captured its eighth cup in as many years and ninth overall by edging out University of St. Francis, 136.5 to 135.5.
Aided by no less than a share of five regular-season titles, seven second-place finishes and one conference tournament title, the Tigers’ program — led by Director of Athletics Gary Newsome — earned outright titles in men’s soccer and both women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, while tying for league crowns in women’s soccer and women’s volleyball. The men’s soccer team claimed the tournament title.
The CCAC All-Sports Cup is awarded annually to the institution that earns the most points from a total of 12 sports out of the 18 sponsored by the conference (men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s golf, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor track and field, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field, baseball and softball). Points are awarded based on conference finish in each sport. An additional point is awarded to any school that claims a conference tournament title.
The final standings for 2016–2017 are as follows:
Olivet Nazarene (136.5 points)
St. Francis (135.5)
Cardinal Stritch (121.5)
St. Ambrose (112.0)
Saint Xavier (104.0)
Purdue Northwest (97.0)
Judson (95.0)
Trinity Christian (80.0)
Robert Morris Illinois (77.5)
Roosevelt (60.0)
Calumet St. Joseph (49.5)
Trinity International (43.5)
Holy Cross (37.5)
Indiana South Bend (30.0)
Governors State (20.0)
Reprinted with permission.