Irish Capture Big East Commissioner’s Trophies
Men and women athletes honored for third consecutive year.
May 17, 1999
NOTRE DAME, Ind. – For the third consecutive year, the University of Notre Dame has captured the BIG EAST Conference Commissioner’s trophies in both men’s and women’s athletics. Notre Dame, which just completed its fourth year as a member of the league in 1998-99, has won all four men’s titles since joining the BIG EAST in 1995-96, and becomes the first school in Conference history to capture both titles three straight years. The women’s team finished second in Notre Dame’s first year as a league member.
The Irish men, which were paced by the men tennis team winning its championship for the second time in four years, and the baseball team capturing the regular-season crown, finished with 78 points (13 points ahead of second-place Connecticut). Notre Dame also garnered second-place finishes in indoor track & field, swimming and diving, and outdoor track & field.
The women’s outdistanced Villanova by 28 points as Notre Dame finished with 98 points. The Irish women claimed three first-place finishes in swimming & diving, tennis and softball. The Irish posted a second-place showing in soccer and finished third in volleyball, indoor track & field, basketball and outdoor track & field.
This marks the sixth time that the same school has garnered both the men’s and women’s trophies, while Notre Dame is only the second school to earn the distinction. Villanova won both titles in 1982-83, ’83-’84, and ’86-’87, but Notre Dame is the only school to win three consecutive men’s and women’s trophies. The Irish men became just the second school to win four straight crowns as Villanova won four men’s titles from 1981-84.
The men’s trophy was first awarded in 1979-80, the league’s inaugural year, while the women’s trophy was first awarded in 1982-83. Point totals for each sport are based upon regular season finish when the BIG EAST conducts round-robin competition (field hockey, soccer, volleyball, baseball and softball) or on championship finish when there is no in-season play.
1998-99 BIG EAST Commissioner’s Trophy
Final Standings
Men WomenNotre Dame 88 Notre Dame 88Connecticut 75 Villanova 70Rutgers 69.5 Connecticut 68Georgetown 66 Boston College 59.5St. John's 62.5 Miami 58.5Miami 56 Syracuse 58.5West Virginia 52.5 West Virginia 58.5Seton Hall 52 Rutgers 57.5Providence 50.5 Georgetown 57Villanova 44 Pittsburgh 55.5Pittsburgh 37.5 Seton Hall 52.5Syracuse 32.5 Providence 39Boston College 24 St. John's 35.5