HILTON HEAD ISLAND, S.C. – After claiming eight trophies over seven sports, Campbell University was presented the George F. "Buddy" Sasser Cup Thursday night, recognizing the Fighting Camels as the top overall sports program in the Big South Conference for 2018-19.  Campbell won the Big South men's sports trophy for the second year in a row and finished second in the women's sports trophy standings.
 
"We are so appreciative of our coaches and the role they have played in bringing the Sasser Cup back to fruition for us at Campbell," said Interim Athletics Director Wanda Watkins.  "The hard work, dedication and loyalty of our staff and student-athletes has been phenomenal in Campbell receiving this honor. Our department is also grateful for Dr. Brad Creed's administrative support in moving us towards success and for the vision and leadership of (former A.D.) Bob Roller, who paved the way for this incredible honor."
 
The Camels won eight Big South championships in 2018-19 -- three outright or shared regular-season titles and five tournament crowns.  Campbell won the regular-season title in baseball and shared the championship in men's basketball and men's tennis, while claiming the conference tournament championship in men's cross country, men's soccer, men's and women's golf, and baseball.
 
"We are proud of our men's program, which captured the men's cup in back to back years, and for the growth of our women in making their best showing since our return to the league in 2011-12," said Watkins. "It's a great time to be a Camel and I thank everyone for their commitment in exemplifying overall success in CU athletics!"
 
In 2018-19, Campbell averaged 9.36 Sasser Cup points while competing in all 19 Big South championship sports and accumulated a total of 177.75 points based on its finish in conference regular-season and championship competition.  High Point finished second to Campbell this season with a 9.05 average over 15 sports and totaled 135.75 points.  Radford was third in the standings (8.19 average), and was followed by Charleston Southern (7.30) and Winthrop (6.50) to round out the top five in the 11-member league.
 
CU claimed the Big South's automatic berth to NCAA postseason competition in men's soccer, women's golf, men's golf and baseball. In addition, Campbell athletes qualified for the national championships in cross country (Amon Kemboi, Lawrence Kipkoech), indoor (Kemboi) and outdoor (Kipkoech) track and field.  Campbell also made its first-ever appearance in the men's basketball NIT, while the women's basketball team advanced to the semifinal round of the WBI.  Competing as a member of the Southern Conference, the Camels also won league regular season and tournament wrestling titles and sent a school-record six athletes to the NCAA Championships.
 
Campbell won the Sasser Cup for the first time since claiming the honor three-straight years from 1992-94.  CU was runner-up in the 2017 and 2018 Sasser Cup standings.  During its 17-year tenure in the Atlantic Sun Conference (1995-2011), Campbell finished as high as third in the combined men's and women's all-sports race.
 
CU now owns more Sasser Cup trophies – four – than any other current Big South member.
 
High Point (9.84 points) claimed the 2018-19 Big South women's all-sports title head of Campbell (8.450 and Radford (8.05).
 
Campbell's first all-sports trophy in 25 years comes on the heels of steady success over the last four seasons.  CU finished third in the 2016 Sasser Cup before placing second in 2017 and 2018.  In the men's sports race, Campbell was third in 2016 and second in 2017 before winning the last two years.  The Campbell women finished third in 2016, 2017 and 2018 before rising to second this season.
 
2018-19 Big South Conference Sasser Cup Standings
1. Campbell                       9.36 average points
2. High Point                      9.05
3. Radford                           8.19
4. Charleston Southern 7.30
5. Winthrop                        6.50
6. Gardner-Webb            6.01
7. USC Upstate                  5.87
8. Hampton                        5.53
9. Presbyterian                 5.43
10. UNC Asheville            5.05
11. Longwood                   4.98
 
2018-19 Big South Men's All-Sports Standings
1. Campbell                       10.36
2. Radford                           8.42
3. High Point                      8.14
4. Charleston Southern 7.54
5. Gardner-Webb            7.32
6. Hampton                        6.25
7. Winthrop                        6.09
8. Presbyterian                 5.93
9. USC Upstate                  5.56
10. UNC Asheville            4.93
11. Longwood                   4.13
 
2018-19 Big South Women's All-Sports Standings
1. High Point                      9.84
2. Campbell                       8.45
3. Radford                           8.05
4. Charleston Southern 7.11
5. Winthrop                        6.83
6. USC Upstate                  6.14
7. Longwood                      5.71
8. UNC Asheville               5.16
9. Gardner-Webb            5.10
10. Hampton                      5.06
11. Presbyterian               5.00