For the third year in a row, the Southern Virginia University Knights were awarded the United States Collegiate Athletic Association’s Director’s Cup, which is presented to the top athletic program in the USCAA.

The Knights finished the season with 610.5 points, followed by Penn College, 503 points; UC Clermont, 303 points; and Robert Morris Springfield, 286.5 points. Points are awarded based on how schools finish at the USCAA's 10 championship and invitational events.

“We are honored to be awarded the Director’s Cup for the third year in a row,” said Tom Longenecker, Southern Virginia’s athletic director. “It’s a witness to the hard work of our coaches and scholar-athletes to perform at the highest levels of USCAA competition.”

The scoring began in the fall with men’s golf, women’s volleyball, women’s soccer and men’s and women’s cross country. For men’s golf, freshman Dustin Bitter fired a two-day total of 155 (79-76) to finish seventh at the USCAA National Golf Invitational. The event was held on Penn State University’s Blue Course (par 72). Bitter was named an All-American.

Women’s volleyball earned 83 points for a third-place finish at the national tournament in Fort Wayne, Ind. Southern Virginia concluded with a 3-1 victory over Taylor Fort Wayne to claim third place. Two-time USCAA All-American Alison Hamilton led the way for the Knights at the tournament.

After a major rebuilding year in 2007, women’s soccer captured the 2008 USCAA national title with a 3-0 victory over Christendom, bringing home 100 points. All-Americans from Southern Virginia included Courtney Montagna and Melanee Guymon. Guymon was also named tournament MVP.

The cross country national championship was held at Southern Virginia. Women’s cross country placed second with Bridget Gonzalez leading the Knights. The men bounced back after last season’s fourth-place finish by placing five runners in the top-16 to take second. Both Spencer Hirt and Bridget Gonzalez earned All-America honors.

In the winter, men’s and women’s basketball added to Southern Virginia’s point total. The women, who were making their fourth consecutive appearance at the tournament in Uniontown, Penn., took second place (90 points). Tricia Dixon was named an All-American.

Men’s basketball placed fourth (65 points) in the tournament. They showed remarkable improvement by beating Florida College 79-72 in the first round, the same team that they lost to by 16 points in the first round of last year’s national tournament. J.J. Holt earned All-America honors while Bryce Pendleton was named an honorable mention All-American.

Softball rounded out the scoring with 30 points for a sixth-place finish at the national tournament in Decatur, Ill. Southern Virginia had three All-Americans, Abigail Baxter, Abbie Fisher and Amanda Otto, and one honorable mention All-American, Chloe Stephens.

Member institutions receive five points for every sport offered at their institution in which the USCAA hosts a national tournament. The Knights received 50 points for sponsoring 10 USCAA championship sports.

2008-2009 Director’s Cup Standings Top-10

1. Southern Virginia, 610.5

2. Penn College, 503

3. UC Clermont, 303

4. Robert Morris Springfield, 286.5

5. Penn State Beaver, 261

6. Spalding University, 250

7. NHTI, 249

8. Saint Catharine College, 240

8. Rochester College, 240

10. Briarcliffe College, 230