Big Sky Conference

Bobcats Capture 2022-23 Big Sky Conference Presidents’ Cup, 7-23-2023

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SPOKANE, Wash. (July 23, 2023) – For the third time in history, but the first since 2011-12, Montana State claimed the Big Sky Conference Presidents’ Cup for the 2022-23 athletic season, the league office announced today.

Montana State joins Weber State (five), Northern Arizona (five), and Eastern Washington (four) as the league’s only schools with at least three President’s Cups.

“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of Montana State University and Bobcat Athletics,” said Montana State Director of Athletics Leon Costello. “Winning the Big Sky Conference Presidents’ Cup is a tremendous accomplishment for our entire university and a testament to our student-athletes for their continued excellence in the classroom and competition. I want to thank President Cruzado for her unrelenting support for Bobcat Athletics, our Bobcat coaches and staff for supporting our vision, and of course our student-athletes for their hard work,  dedication, and championship mentality in all they do.”

Big Sky Commissioner Tom Wistrcill awarded the Presidents’ Cup today as part of the Big Sky’s Football Kickoff Weekend at the Northern Quest Resort & Casino in Spokane, Wash. The award promotes the Big Sky’s commitment to academics and recognizes a member school’s overall success in the classroom and athletic competition. 
 
The award is given annually to the school that excels both academically and athletically and is measured by final regular-season standings in eight of the league’s 14 sports and league championship standings in men’s and women’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field, and golf. Teams receive an average point total per sport and are ranked accordingly. The academic tier measures the academic progress rate (APR) from the previous year, and each team’s grade point average (GPA) in Big Sky sponsored sports for the current year.

Montana State edged its closest competitors Northern Arizona, who had claimed the previous two Presidents’ Cups, and Weber State. Montana State will hold the Presidents’ Cup and display it for the next calendar year. 

Bobcat Athletics presently enjoys one of the greatest periods of sustained success in MSU history. The Bobcats claimed their second consecutive Big Sky Men’s All-Sports Trophy in 2022-23 and finished second in the standings for the Women’s All-Sports Trophy. MSU won Big Sky Championships in football and women’s basketball during the most recent academic year, finishing in the top three in men’s and women’s cross country, indoor and outdoor track, golf, and men’s basketball. The skiing and rodeo programs also finished among the top 10 teams in the nation.

Tune in to ESPN+ tomorrow starting at 9:15 am MT to hear from all 12 Big Sky head coaches and 24 student-athletes, along with a number of special guests. The 2023 Big Sky Football Kickoff will be hosted live by Big Sky Host & Reporter Alex Eschelman.

Follow Bobcat Athletics (@MSUBobcats on Twitter the Big Sky Conference (@BigSkyConf) on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Blue Sky and TikTok for all the latest news around the league and use the hashtag #ExperienceElevated.

2022-23 Presidents’ Cup Final Standings

  1. Montana State – 4.0
  2. Northern Arizona – 6.0
  3. Weber State – 6.5
  4. Idaho – 8.5
  5. Montana – 9.0
  6. Sacramento State – 13.0
  7. Eastern Washington – 13.5
  8. Idaho State – 15.5
  9. Portland State – 16.5
  10. Northern Colorado – 17.5

Historical Presidents’ Cup Winners

2002-03: Weber State
2003-04: Weber State
2004-05: Montana State
2005-06: Northern Arizona
2006-07: Montana
2007-08: Weber State
2008-09: Weber State
2009-10: Eastern Washington
2010-11: Montana
2011-12: Montana State
2012-13: Northern Arizona
2013-14: Northern Arizona
2014-15: Eastern Washington
2015-16: Eastern Washington
2016-17: North Dakota
2017-18: Eastern Washington
2018-19: Weber State
2019-20: Not Awarded (COVID)
2020-21: Northern Arizona
2021-22: Northern Arizona

2022-23: Montana State

About Colter Nuanez

Colter Nuanez is the co-founder and senior writer for Skyline Sports. After spending six years in the newspaper industry with stops at the Missoulian, the Ellensburg Daily Record and the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, the former Washington Newspaper Association Sportswriter of the Year and University of Montana Journalism School graduate ('09) has cultivated a deep passion for sports journalism during his 13-year career covering the Big Sky Conference. In August of 2014, Colter and brother Brooks merged their passions of writing and art to found Skyline Sports.

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