For the first time in school history, the Embry-Riddle Prescott Eagles topped off a successful athletics year by winning the 2014-15 Cal Pac Conference Commissioner’s Cup of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).
The Commissioner’s Cup is awarded to the institution that accumulated the most points in the previous school year. Points are awarded based on conference championship finishes, including post-season tournaments. The Eagles won three championships, in men’s cross country, men’s golf and women’s golf; and had four runner-up finishes in men’s soccer, women’s soccer, women’s cross country and women’s softball. Additionally, in March, Prescott Campus student Jose Cruz III won the NAIA men’s wrestling individual national championship in the 184-pound weight class.
Prescott Campus student-athletes also lead academically. This year, 17 student-athletes carrying a minimum grade point average of 3.5 (on a 4.0 scale) were named Daktronics-NAIA Scholar-Athletes. And, the Prescott Men’s Golf team posted the highest grade point average among all university NAIA divisions in the United States with an overall GPA of 3.75. The team was also named the Golf Association of America’s All-Academic best overall out of 171 teams representing all divisions.
“We are so proud of the fact that our student-athletes are dominant both on the field and in the classroom,” says Embry-Riddle Prescott Chancellor Frank Ayers.
Embry-Riddle Prescott’s Athletics Department continues to grow, with men’s basketball launching this fall and women’s basketball coming in fall 2016.