University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
UNC Asheville Athletics Finishes Third in Sasser Cup Standings
05.31.2024 | General, Athletics News
HILTON HEAD, S.C. – UNC Asheville athletics has earned a third-place finish in the Big South's Sasser Cup competition, the highest finish ever in Asheville history. The Big South made the announcement on Friday as part of the conference's awards banquet during the Spring Meetings.
The Sasser Cup Trophy is named after former Big South Commissioner Buddy Sasser (1989-96). Based on an average points system, it is awarded to the Big South member institution for the most successful athletic year. Points are awarded for both regular-season and tournament finishes in each of the League's 19 championships, and the average of the combined total is used to determine the overall point allocation in the respective sport.
"I am so proud of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff for achieving this historic third-place finish," said Director of Athletics Janet R. Cone. "When we released our 'Dream Bigger. Achieve More.' Strategic Plan a little over a year ago, one of the goals was to finish in the top three of the Sasser Cup Competition by 2027-28. Reaching this goal in the first full year of implementing the strategic plan is a testament to how important competitive excellence is to our department. I am grateful to our Bulldogs for their hard work and dedication this past year, and I am anticipating even more success in years to come."
On the men's side, the Bulldogs earned an impressive second-place finish with 7.14 points. The men's second-place finish is the highest finish on the men's side in department history. Asheville's men's teams were led by the tennis team, which finished with 9.5 points. Men's basketball, men's soccer, and men's cross country followed, earning eight points each.
Asheville's women finished in sixth place with 4.72 points. The women's tennis team led the Bulldogs with 10 points after claiming the regular season and tournament championships.
For a complete list of the standings, see below:
2023-24 Sasser Cup Standings
| 1. | High Point | 8.65 |
| 2. | Charleston Southern | 6.65 |
| 3. | UNC Asheville | 5.85 |
| 4. | USC Upstate | 5.40 |
| 5. | Radford | 5.39 |
| 6. | Longwood | 4.85 |
| 7. | Winthrop | 4.64 |
| 8. | Presbyterian | 4.45 |
| 9. | Gardner-Webb | 4.36 |
2023-24 Women's All-Sports Award
| 1. | High Point | 8.63 |
| 2. | Charleston Southern | 6.83 |
| 3. | Radford | 6.18 |
| 4. | USC Upstate | 6.09 |
| 5. | Longwood | 5.06 |
| 6. | UNC Asheville | 4.72 |
| 7. | Presbyterian | 4.16 |
| 8. | Winthrop | 3.97 |
| 9. | Gardner-Webb | 3.70 |
2023-24 Men's All-Sports Award
| 1. | High Point | 8.68 |
| 2. | UNC Asheville | 7.14 |
| 3. | Charleston Southern | 6.38 |
| 4. | Winthrop | 5.50 |
| 5. | Gardner-Webb | 5.19 |
| 6. | Presbyterian | 4.83 |
| T7. | Longwood | 4.61 |
| T7. | USC Upstate | 4.61 |
| 9. | Radford | 4.08 |
For more information on UNC Asheville Athletics, follow on 𝕩.
