Xavier U. captures second GCAC trophy

    For the second consecutive year, Xavier University is the winner of the Thomas Howell Cup, the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference’s all-sports award.
    The trophy, named for the GCAC’s longtime commissioner, is awarded annually to the conference member with the most accrued points based on the order of finish in various sports.
    Xavier, boosted by championships in men’s and women’s cross country, women’s volleyball and men’s and women’s basketball, finished the sports year with 44 1/2 points.
    Southern University New Orleans was second with 33 points, Edward Waters was third with 30 1/2 points, and Dillard was fourth with 30 points.
    Xavier University won its first all-sports trophy in 2010-11 by scoring 31 points. Its athletic department has finished among the top three GCAC teams over the past eight seasons.
    Xavier University has won 36 conference/group team championships and earned 27 berths in the NAIA national championships during the past seven seasons.
    The university suspended intercollegiate athletics in 2005-06 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. In the six seasons since then, the Gold Rush and Nuggets have combined for 32 conference/group team championships and 24 berths in the NAIA national championships.