The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga’s 2014-15 athletic season continues to stack up well against the rest of the nation, according to the recent release of the final Capital One Cup standings. The Mocs men’s programs placed a collective 61st in all of NCAA Division I, outpacing 26 schools from the so-called ‘Power Five’ conferences.
The Capital One Cup is awarded annually to each of the best men's and women's Division I college athletics programs. Points toward the Capital One Cup are earned and tracked throughout the year based on final standings of NCAA Championships and final official coaches' polls.
Chattanooga grabbed nine points thanks to its quarterfinal appearance in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Playoffs.
It is the first time UTC has finished in the top-100 of the Capital One Cup standings since the award began in 2010-11.
“Based on our Commissioner’s Cup Trophy, leading the SoCon in the Learfield Sports Director’s Cup, and now this news about the Capital One Cup, it is clear that we are establishing a winning mindset at Chattanooga,” stated Vice Chancellor & Director of Athletics David Blackburn.
“We still have room for improvement, but with the hard work of our student-athletes, coaches and staff, and the great support we receive from the University and the Chattanooga community, we expect even bigger success in the future.”
UTC finished ahead of six schools from both the ACC (Boston College, Clemson, N.C. State, Pitt, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest) and the Big Ten (Indiana, Minnesota, Nebraska, Northwestern , Purdue, Rutgers). The Mocs were also better than five men's programs in the SEC (Auburn, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee) and Pac 12 (Arizona State, Oregon State, Utah, Washington, Washington State) and four from the Big 12 (Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Oklahoma State).
Virginia captured this year’s men’s trophy while Stanford won the women’s title. The winning schools earn a combined $400,000 in student-athlete scholarships and will receive the Capital One Cup trophy at the ESPY awards on July 15.
The Mocs start their quest for a higher finish in 2015-16, when the soccer team kicks off the season against Austin Peay at home on Aug. 23. Volleyball hosts Valparaiso on Aug. 28 and cross country begins at home on Sept. 11.
All eyes will be on Chattanooga on Sept. 5 when the No. 5 Mocs host the No. 4 Jacksonville State Gamecocks in one of the biggest FCS football games of the season. Be sure to get your season tickets now on GoMocs.com or by calling the UTC Ticket Office at 423-266-MOCS (6627).