The University of South Dakota has been named the winner of the Dr. Helen Smiley Women’s Allsports Award for the sixth time out of seven. This award recognizes institutions that have collected points for men’s and women’s sports. The Summit League’s year-end awards ceremony was hosted by Commissioner Josh Fenton at the Annual Presidents’ Council and Joint Council on Wednesday night.
South Dakota finished third in the Summit League Commissioners’ Cup standings with 93.5 points in the final standings. South Dakota State University and North Dakota State University took first and second place, respectively, with 104.5 and 103.5 points.
South Dakota’s volleyball team dominated both the season and tournament titles as a league regular for the first time in program history. This achievement allowed them to win the Summit League Triple Crown that year. The Coyotes also advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in the past five seasons.
During the season, men and women’s indoor conference titles were swept by the USD teams for the first time as members of the Summit League. Additionally, three USD teams finished as runners-up this season: women’s swimming and diving, women’s outdoor track and field, and women’s golf.
The Commissioners’ Cup is awarded each year to the member institution that collects the most points related to placement in league-sponsored sports among the men’s and women’s athletic programs. The Allsports Award is awarded to the most league-sponsored sports program.
The men’s award is named after former Valparaiso Athletics Director Dr. William Steinbrecher, while the women’s award is named for former Western Illinois Athletics Director Dr. Helen Smiley.
The standings for the Commissioners’ Cup, Dr. Helen Smiley Women’s Allsports Award, and Dr. William Steinbrecher Men’s Allsports Award can be found below:
Commissioner’s Cup Standings:
1. South Dakota 104.5
2. North Dakota 103.5
3. South Dakota 93.5
4. Denver 69.5
T5. North Dakota 66
T5. Oral Roberts 66
7. Omaha 65.5
8. St. Thomas 61
9. Kansas City 48.5
10. Western Illinois 39
Dr. Helen Smiley Women’s All Sports Award Standing:
1. South Dakota 63.5
2. South Dakota State 63
3. North Dakota State Universities 62.5
4. University of North Dakota 48
5. University of Omaha 47
6. University of Denver 44
7. Oral Roberts University 31
8. University of St. Thomas 30.5
9. University of Kansas City 26
10. Western Illinois University 16.5
Dr. William Steinbrecher Men’s All Sports Awards Ranking:
1. South Dakota 41.5
2. North Dakota 41
3. Oral Roberts 35
4. St. Thomas 30.5
5. South Dakota 30
6. Denver 25.5
T7. Kansas City 22.5
T7. Western Illinois 22.5