June 4, 2009

Bay City, Mich. - Grand Valley State University claimed the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC) 2008-2009 Presidents' Trophy it was announced by the league office Thursday (June 4). The Presidents' Trophy, commonly referred to as the All-Sports Trophy, is awarded at the end of each year of competition to the conference member having demonstrated general excellence in all or most sports. GVSU has now claimed the Presidents' Trophy for 11 straight years and increased its overall total to 16, a league high. Grand Valley State has captured 75 GLIAC titles (out of 133 possible) since the 2002-03 academic year.

"We are extremely proud of our student-athletes and coaches for what they accomplished in their respective sports for the 2008-09 year," said GVSU Director of Athletics Tim Selgo. "However, what we are most proud of is what these young men and women accomplished in the classroom. Our student-athletes have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and turned in 3.04 GPA for the winter semester. Our student-athletes have achieved both academic and athletic excellence," added Selgo.

Grand Valley State compiled a grand score of 170.5, outscoring second place Ashland University by nearly 50 points. GVSU recorded first place finishes in men's cross country, football, golf, and baseball while the Lady Lakers claimed the league crowns in cross country, soccer, volleyball, swimming, indoor and outdoor track & field, and golf. Along with these 11 championships GVSU also recorded five second place finishes. The Laker women scored 91.0 points and recorded seven GLIAC titles, while the GVSU men tallied 79.5 points and four league crowns.