ATH: Buckeye Men’s Athletics Program Captures Capital One Cup Victory
COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Ohio State University men’s athletics program has been crowned winner of the 2016-17 Capital One Cup, representing the country’s best cumulative on-field performances across all men’s teams. This marks the best finish in Buckeye men’s history, previously peaking at No. 3 in the men’s standings. Meanwhile, the women’s program of Stanford University brought home its fourth such recognition.
“It is a banner day for our men’s athletics program and our university as a whole,” Gene Smith, Ohio State Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director, said. “Each year, our student-athletes work hard to put forth their best performances and we’re pleased to see their efforts recognized with this honor. We will proudly display our Capital One Cup trophy on the University’s shelves, and we would like to thank Capital One for investing in our student-athletes.”
In recognition of this outstanding achievement, the Ohio State men and Stanford women will receive a combined $400,000 in student-athlete scholarships and will be honored at The 25th ESPYS live on ABC Wednesday, July 12, at 8 p.m. ET from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Miles Johnson of the national champion OSU men’s volleyball squad will represent the Scarlet & Gray, accepting the award on stage out in LA.
No stranger to the men’s top-10, the Buckeyes’ first-time road to No. 1 was paved with strong competition, as Stanford – the 2016 Men’s Capital One Cup champion – maintained the lead in the fall and winter seasons. Creating a shift in the spring, the Buckeyes secured the national title in men’s volleyball, followed by a top-10 finish in tennis. As the race began to heat up, it was the Buckeyes’ run in men’s lacrosse that ultimately sealed the deal. Earning an additional 36 Capital One Cup points from their second-place finish, the Buckeyes held off Florida and North Carolina to take the No. 1 spot.
MEN’S CUP FINAL STANDINGS (Top-10)
1 | Ohio State (111 points)
2 | Florida (105)
3 | North Carolina (100)
4 | Stanford (94.5)
5 | Denver (85)
6 | Clemson (78)
7 | Maryland (72)
8 | Oklahoma (70)
9 | James Madison (60)
10 | Oregon (56)
In June, the overall OSU Athletics group wrapped up a second place finish in the Learfield Sports Director’s Cup standings, combining the efforts of both the women’s and men’s teams. Stanford claimed the top spot.