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