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Fact Sheet
Chap Athletics Wins Fourth Consecutive National Award
By Ken Reed
For an unprecedented fourth consecutive year, the College of DuPage Athletic department has won the prestigious Pepsi Cup for the National Alliance of Two-Year College Athletic Administrators Award (NATYCAA).
Led by Athletic Director Paul Zakowski, the department captured the national honor on the strength of several top finishes by DuPage teams in National Junior College Athletic Association competition.
The DuPage women’s tennis team won the NJCAA meet, while the men’s cross country team finished second in national competition. The men’s basketball, outdoor track and soccer teams placed third nationally; the men’s swim and women’s basketball teams were fifth; women’s softball team, sixth; women’s outdoor track team, ninth; and women’s swim team, 10th.
“I am very proud that College of DuPage has won the 2006/07 NATYCAA Pepsi Cup,” Zakowski said. “The college has won the award four consecutive years, which is a remarkable achievement. This award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes and coaches.
“I also want to share this award with the entire C.O.D. community. We are thankful for the support the Board of Trustees and cabinet have given to the athletic department. Success always starts at the top. We are also grateful to our faculty who are instrumental in the success of our student-athletes. The support departments on campus also are part of this award. We get tremendous support from the Financial Aid and Registration offices, the Counseling and Advising Services staff and the Public Information office.
“I can’t say enough about the student-athletes and coaches. They did an outstanding job this year. They are truly dedicated to achieving excellence. We know how hard it is to win this award and look forward to continuing the success that College of DuPage has come to expect.”
Points for the Pepsi award are calculated based on each college’s NJCAA finish. For example, each first place finish is worth 20 points; second place, 19; third, 18; etc.
C.O.D. collected 166.5 points, with the men’s teams contributing 88.5 and the women, 78. Gloucester County College (N.J.) finished second to the Chaparrals with 144.5 points. Herkimer County Community College (N.Y.) was third, 140; Mohawk Valley Community College (N.Y.), fourth, 138; and Nassau Community College (N.Y.), fifth, 98 points.
Ninety-six community colleges compete in non-scholarship, Division III for the Pepsi award, which is designed to recognize and reward overall program excellence at the two-year college level as well as promote all programs in all sports on an equal basis.
LuAnn Zimmick, C.O.D. assistant athletic director, accepted the college’s first-place award during ceremonies in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday, June 7.
News Bureau
College of DuPage
Office of Public Information
OCC 143-45
425 Fawell Boulevard
Glen Ellyn, IL 60137-6599
Phone:
(630) 942-2480
Fax:
(630) 942-3737
