California (Pa.) administrators (l-r) Athletic Director Dr. Tom Pucci, Associate Athletic Director Dr. Karen Hjerpe, President Dr. Angelo Armenti and Vice-President Dr. Lenora Angelone Accept the Dixon Trophy today in Harrisburg.
California Wins 2008-09 Dixon Trophy
California University has claimed the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Dixon Trophy for the 2008-09 academic year. The award is given on an annual basis to the league’s most successful athletics program.
The Dixon Trophy is named after F. Eugene Dixon, Jr., former chairman of the Board of Governors of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education. Each year it is awarded to the PSAC member institution that accumulates the most points based on results of conference playoffs and/or regular-season records. Each institution's point total is calculated by adding its top six men's finishes and top six women's finishes in 22 conference sports.
This is the first time California has won the PSAC’s top designation. A third-place showing in 2007-08 was a previous best for the Vulcan program since the league began its all-sports recognition following the 1995-96 year.
California totaled 161 points, winning a close battle with Shippensburg, which finished with 158. Lock Haven and last year’s champion, Slippery Rock, tied for third with 153 points, while Indiana (Pa.) University rounded out the top five with 151.5.
The Vulcan programs won PSAC Championships in men’s soccer, football, women’s volleyball, women’s golf and women’s tennis. The five total crowns marked a league best, two more than both Shippensburg and West Chester. Other key contributions for the Vulcans came in the form of a runner-up finish in women’s basketball, third-place showings in baseball, men’s golf and women’s swimming, and a fourth-place finish in softball.
Shippensburg, which has won the Dixon Trophy a league-high five times, secured PSAC titles in men’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and in women’s cross country. The Raiders also had runner-up showings in men’s swimming, and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field.
California had the highest total on the women’s side with 90 points, finishing five points ahead of Lock Haven. Shippensburg registered the league’s top number for men with 76 points, edging out West Chester with 75.5.
In claiming this year’s title, California becomes the seventh school to win the Dixon Trophy. The Vulcans join Kutztown, Slippery Rock and Millersville as one-time winners. Only Shippensburg (5), Lock Haven (3), Bloomsburg (2) have triumphed on multiple occasions.
Final 2000-09 Standings
1. California 161.0
2. Shippensburg 158.0
3. Lock Haven 153.0
4. Slippery Rock 153.0
5. IUP 151.5
6. West Chester 150.5
7. Kutztown 147.0
8. Bloomsburg 143.5
9. East Stroudsburg 130.33
10. Mercyhurst 124.0
11. Edinboro 116.0
12. Gannon 105.5
13. Clarion 97.5
14. Millersville 95.5
15. Mansfield 62.83
16. Cheyney 44.5