SAN ANTONIO – For the first time in program history, the University of the Incarnate Word Athletics Department won the 2021-22 Southland Conference Commissioner's Cup, announced the league office Tuesday. The Commissioner's Cup is awarded annually to the university compiling the highest combined total of men's and women's all-sports points. Points are earned based on final regular season standings.
 
Additionally, the department finished first in the Men's All-Sports standings following four regular season conference titles.
 
"Simply stated, our UIW Cardinals are dedicated athletes and scholars," said Thomas M. Evans, PhD, UIW president. "Our University community is extremely proud of our student-athletes for their spirit, leadership and all that they bring to our campus. At UIW, we are committed to their success in competition and in life and we are honored to support them along their journeys. The Southland Conference Commissioner's Cup is a wonderful acknowledgement of the tremendous effort student-athletes give to their sport. We are grateful to the SLC for this award and their partnership."
 
"This award is a true testament to the hard work our student-athletes, coaches and staff put in this past year," added UIW Athletic Director Richard Duran. "I am so proud of all the programs that contributed to this win. We often talk about being champions in the classroom, the community and in competition, and this year every one of our student-athletes have proven they can excel in all three. It's incredible to see how far we have come over the past few years, and I know the best is yet to come."
 
In the fall, football won the regular season title with a 7-1 overall record, highlighted by a 31-0 shutout over McNeese State University on Sept. 25. The men's cross country team had a standout showing at the SLC Championships, placing second.
 
During the SLC Indoor Track and Field Championships over the winter, the men's team tallied eight podium finishes on day two to complete a come-from-behind victory, winning its first league title in program history. The Cardinals then jumped out to an early advantage at the SLC Outdoor Track and Field Championships to win the conference title by more than 20 points. The men's tennis team finished as tri-champions, tallying a 2-1 league mark.
 
UIW was third in the Women's All-Sports standings. Both the indoor and outdoor women's track and field teams secured runner-up finishes. Ellen Nicholas then won the individual title to lead the Cardinals to second place at the SLC Women's Golf Championship. This was the first individual champion in UIW's Division I history, as well as the team's highest finish as DI program.
 
Additional Notes

• The previous highest finish for UIW in the SLC Commissioner's Cup was sixth place (2018-19).
• UIW's previous best for the Men's All-Sports standings was fourth (2018-19).
• The previous high for the Women's All-Sports standings was sixth (2019-20, suspended due to COVID-19).

 
Previous Standings

Year	Men's	Women's	Overall
2020-21	9	9	10
2019-20	10*	6*	10*
2018-19	4	9	6
2017-18	8	10	8
2016-17	9	9	10
2015-16	7	10	8
2014-15	8	12	12
2013-14	12	13	12

 
*Suspended with spring sports canceled due to COVID-19
 
View the final SLC Commissioner's Cup standings here.
 
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