May 28, 2013
CHICAGO - Backed by championships in six sports, Loyola University Chicago has achieved its best-ever finish in the McCafferty Trophy standings by placing second overall to Cleveland State, which captured its second all-sports title. Awarded annually, the McCafferty Trophy is presented to the Horizon League's all-sports champion. Loyola, which finished atop the women's sports standings, totaled 41 overall points to edge Milwaukee (39.5) for runner-up spot.
UIC grabbed fourth place with 36.5 points, followed by Detroit (36), Valparaiso (35), Youngstown State (28), Green Bay (22), and Wright State (16).
Loyola had previously finished fourth or tied for fourth place on six occasions, most recently in 2011-12, but that was its highest finish until this year's runner-up showing despite not offering baseball, men's tennis, women's tennis, men's swimming and diving, and women's swimming and diving, all of which are League sponsored sports.
The Ramblers, in their final year as members of the Horizon League, collected their sixth regular-season softball title in the last 13 years by earning a share of the conference crown this spring. Second-year head coach Randy Hasenbank also guided Loyola to Horizon League championships in men's and women's cross country, men's and women's indoor track and field, and outdoor track and field during the 2012-13 school year.
With 24 points, Loyola fended off UIC (23) and Youngstown State (22.5) to claim its first-ever women's all-sports title. In addition to the conference crowns in softball, cross country, indoor and outdoor track on the women's side, the Ramblers also saw their women's basketball squad secure a third-place finish in the regular-season standings, while placing runner-up in the Horizon League Championship.
Named in honor of James J. McCafferty, who served as the conference's first commissioner from 1979-80, the McCafferty Trophy is awarded annually by the Horizon League to a member institution compiling the greatest number of performance points, based on its finish in the League's 19 championship sports.
For the sports of men's and women's soccer, women's volleyball, men's and women's basketball, softball and baseball, points are awarded based on combined regular-season (60 percent) and championship (40 percent) finishes. For all other sports, points are based on performance in the League championships.
Loyola begins participation in the Missouri Valley Conference beginning with the 2013 fall sports season.
Final McCafferty Trophy Standings
1. Cleveland State - 45 points
2. Loyola - 41 points
3. Milwaukee - 39.5 points
4. UIC - 36.5 points
5. Detroit - 36 points
6. Valparaiso - 35 points
7. Youngstown State - 28 points
8. Green Bay - 22 points
9. Wright State - 16 points
