May 15, 1998

VILLANOVA, Pa. - With the 1997-98 Big East Conference athletic season completed, final standings in the races for the Commissioner's Trophies have been tabulated. The Commissioner's Trophies are awarded annually to the schools which demonstrate overall excellence in men's and women's athletics. Villanova placed second overall in the women's race, and fifth overall in the men's race, while, for the second-consecutive season, Notre Dame captured both trophies.

The Notre Dame men were paced by first-place finishes in golf and cross country, and second-place showings in indoor track & field, tennis, and baseball. The Irish also placed third in outdoor track & field. The women claimed four first-place finishes in soccer, volleyball, swimming and softball. The Irish women posted a second-place showing in tennis.

This marks the fifth time that the same school has garnered both the men's and women's trophies, while Notre Dame is only the second school to earn the distinction. Villanova won both titles in 1982-83, 1983-84, and 1986-87.

On the men's side, Notre Dame finished 19.5 points ahead of St. John's, a four-time Commissioner's Tophy recipient. The Red Storm won the men's soccer regular-season crown and finsihed second in the basketball race. The Villanova women, who have won 13 trophies, earned their runner-up status with second-place showings in volleyball and swimming and diving.

The men's trophy was first awarded in 1979-80, the league's inaugural year, while the women's trophy was first awarded in 1982-83. Point totals for each sport are based upon regular season finish when the Big East conducts round-robin competition (field hockey, soccer, volleyball, baseball, softball) or on championship finish when there is no in-season play. In sports where divisional play is in place (basketball, softball, baseball), point totals are awarded based on overall league winning percentage at the conclusion of the regular season.

1997-98 Big East Commissioner's Trophy Final Standings

Men Points Notre Dame 88 St. John's 68.5 Connecticut 67 Georgetown 63.5 Villanova 60.5 Seton Hall 59 Miami 54.5 West Virginia 54 Rutgers 49.5 Providence 42.5 Syracuse 38 Pittsburgh 34 Boston College 31

Women Points Notre Dame 83.5 Villanova 74.5 Connecticut 66 Miami 63 Syracuse 61 Rutgers 59.5 Georgetown 55.5 Boston College 54.5 West Virginia 53 Seton Hall 51.5 Pittsburgh 49.5 Providence 45.5 St. John's 42