29 May 2024 Little Rock makes history with first Commissioner’s Cup win

LITTLE ROCK — In just its second year as a member of the Ohio Valley Conference, the Little Rock Trojans have captured the OVC Commissioner’s Cup, awarded annually for overall athletic excellence in league-sponsored championships. It’s the first overall cup win for Little Rock in school history.

Little Rock tied Eastern Illinois with 110.5 points after capturing five regular season titles in Men’s Basketball, Baseball, Women’s Golf, and Men’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field. The Trojans also finished second in Women’s Basketball and Women’s Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field.

The OVC Commissioner’s Cup standings do not incorporate the incredible results posted by the Little Rock Wrestling program, which competes as an affiliate member of the PAC 12. The wrestling program finished second in the Pac-12, had three individual conference champions, sent four to the NCAA Championships and eight individual placers at the conference tournament.

“Words cannot express how proud I am of everyone associated with Little Rock Athletics,” Director of Athletics Frank M. Cuervo said. “This type of success does not come without the outstanding support of the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees, the UA Little Rock Board of Visitors and Chancellor Christina Drale. Our 275 student-athletes, coaches, support staff and administrators put forth an incredible effort this past year to take home the OVC Commissioner’s Cup for comprehensive competitive excellence. I am excited about this achievement and look forward to even greater success next year.”

In addition to their athletic success, the Little Rock Trojans also posted a 3.31 grade point average for the 2023-24 academic year and extended its streak of consecutive terms with a 3.0 or above to 22.

The Cup uses a point system in which each school counts finishes from 13 total sports in the final standings. Points are distributed based on the number of schools participating in the sport. Winners of OVC Tournaments are also awarded one bonus point for that sport.

Little Rock pitcher, coach win top honors

Little Rock stakes claim in 7 regular season awards as Jacob Weatherley is named Pitcher of the Year, Coach Curry named Coach of the Year, and Hoss Brewer, Nico Baumbach, Jacob Weatherley, Jake Wright, and Luke Pectol claim All-OVC Teams.