Southeastern Wins First Sun Conference Commissioner’s Cup

Watson Named Athletic Director of the Year
SAVANNAH, Ga.—Southeastern University has won The Sun Conference Commissioner’s Cup for the first time since joining the league in 2009.
The Commissioner’s Cup is awarded to the school that accumulates the most points according to their finish in each sport. Points from the top four men’s sports and top four women’s sport are totaled to determine each school’s score. The Fire accumulated 163.5 points, the most since Embry-Riddle won the Cup in 2014-15.
“This award is a result of the hard work of our student-athletes and coaching staff,” said Southeastern University Director of Athletics Drew Watson. “They have done a tremendous job building programs that consistently compete for conference championships, and this is the reward for those efforts. I couldn’t be more proud.”
The Fire won the men’s soccer and women’s basketball tournament titles, and won both the men’s and women’s track and field championships. Southeastern also picked up regular season titles in baseball and women’s basketball, with women’s soccer and volleyball each claiming a share of their regular season titles for the first time in program history.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Southeastern Fire student-athletes, coaches, administration, and fans for capturing the 2018-19 Commissioner’s Cup” said Sun Conference Commissioner Dustin Wilke. “The united achievement of these athletes has been truly impressive and has pushed the standard for our conference upward.”
Additionally, Watson was named The Sun Conference Athletic Director of the Year.
“I have the utmost respect for my peers,” said Watson. “and because they are the ones that vote on the award, I am so honored by this recognition.”
This is the third time in the last six years Watson has won the award.
“Drew is a deserving recipient of this award,” said Wilke. “He has not only led Southeastern Athletics to unprecedented success but also dedicated himself to providing strong leadership in The Sun and representing our conference proudly at the national level.”
In addition to winning the Commissioner’s Cup, Southeastern secured its second consecutive top 20 finish in the NAIA Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup standings. The Fire finished an all-time best 17th for the 2018-19 year.
“This award is a reflection of a supportive administration, a talented and hard-working staff, and the student-athletes who dedicate their time, energy and passion to represent Southeastern University,” said Watson. “I am so blessed to have the opportunity to work with them.”
Watson will now appear on the national ballot for the NAIA’s Athletic Director of the Year, which will be announced in September during the association’s National Awards Day.