KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Central Missouri claimed the 2019-2020 Commissioner’s Cup presented by McCownGordon Construction. UCM finished with 104 points and had an average of 10.4 points to win its third commissioner’s cup in four years. This year’s standings only reflect the fall and winter seasons as the spring season was canceled due to the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic.
The Mules and Jennies scored conference championships during the 2019-2020 season in women’s soccer and women’s basketball with a co-championship in football. Central Missouri was runner-up in women’s cross country with third-place finishes in men’s cross country and volleyball.
"Central Missouri is extremely honored to receive the Commissioner's Cup trophy for the 2019-2020 season,” stated Jerry Hughes, Vice President Intercollegiate Athletics. “It is a reflection of the success of our tremendous coaches and our student-athletes. We're very proud of all that they accomplished on the field and the role models they are in our community.”
Northwest Missouri was narrowly edged out of the top spot as it finished second with 93.5 points and an average of 10.38 points. Third place went to Pittsburg State with 81.7 points, an average of 10.21 points. Nebraska Kearney had 94.7 points with an average of 9.47 points for fourth place and Missouri Southern closed out the top-five with an average of 9.44 points and 85 points.
Sixth place was slotted to Fort Hays State as Central Oklahoma came in seventh place. Northeastern State finished eighth with Washburn and Emporia ending in ninth and 10th respectively. Missouri Western was 11th and Lincoln rounded out the 2019-2020 standings.
“As a conference, it is important for us to celebrate the championships that did occur this academic year and recognize the program achievements in 2019-2020,” said MIAA Commissioner Mike Racy. “This award will footnote the interrupted spring season but it will allow us to celebrate the 11 MIAA Championships that we completed this academic year.”
This marks the third consecutive year McCownGordon has been the presenting sponsor of the Commissioner’s Cup. McCownGordon has significant experience in a variety of market sectors including planning, servicing, and completing higher education and sports projects and is recognized as one of the region’s largest construction managers with offices in both Missouri and Kansas.
“McCownGordon is proud to partner with the MIAA to present the 2019-2020 Commissioner’s Cup to the University of Central Missouri. The trophy awards competitive excellence and embodies the true spirit of teamwork and collaboration. We are also proud to continue our association with the MIAA, its member institutions, and each student-athlete being honored for this outstanding achievement,” stated Ramin Cherafat, McCownGordon Construction CEO.
The MIAA Commissioner’s Cup presented by McCownGordon Construction will be presented to the University of Central Missouri at the annual MIAA Awards Ceremony presented by Husch Blackwell, at a date yet to be determined due to the COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic. The announcement of the event will be announced after local, state, and national health officials properly advise for such activities to take place. To learn more information about the Commissioner’s Cup, click here.
2019-2020 Final MIAA Commissioner’s Cup Standings
1.Central Missouri - 10.40 points
2. Northwest Missouri - 10.38 points
3. Pittsburg State - 10.21 points
4. Nebraska Kearney - 9.47 points
5. Missouri Southern - 9.44 points
6. Fort Hays State - 8.40 points
7. Central Oklahoma - 8.12 points
8. Northeastern State - 7.70 points
9. Washburn - 7.18 points
10. Emporia State - 7.00 points
11. Missouri Western - 6.72 points
12. Lincoln - 6.33 points
*Does Not Include The Spring Season Due To The COVID-19 Global Health Pandemic Cancelling The Remainder of the Season.