Colorado Christian University Receives 2008-09 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Cup

Second Consecutive Win for the NCAA Division II Cougars, Coaching Staff Named Key Factor

Colorado Springs, Colo. - Colorado Christian University has won the third annual Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Cup, the RMAC announced on July 1, 2009. This is the second consecutive year in which the Cougars have been presented the award, following the University of Nebraska-Kearney's inaugural win for the 2006-07 academic year. CCU received an average overall score of 4.378, joined in the top five by Nebraska-Kearney (4.167), Regis University (4.079), Western State College of Colorado (4.047), and Chadron State College (3.999).

The Sportsmanship Cup underwent several revisions this past year, including transition to an online voting process that ranked four game-environment categories: players, coaches, staff, and fans. One head coach from each sport, along with a Student Athletic Advisory Committee (SAAC) member from each of the 14 RMAC member schools, voted per school on all 21 RMAC-sponsored sports. In each category, schools received one ranking ranging from poor to excellent.

The Cougars' highest point average was in the coaches category, where they received an average of 4.51 points. CCU's second highest score was in the players category (4.38), followed by staff (4.33) and fans (4.28). In total, the Cougars ranked highest in three of the four voting categories.

"It's an honor to receive the RMAC Sportsmanship Cup for the second year in a row, especially because it is an award voted on by the 13 other RMAC schools," commented CCU Director of Athletics Darren Richie. "Our coaches, student-athletes, and staff have done a great job in competing on a high level and maintaining a Christ-like attitude to honor God in all they do and say."

Colorado Christian University will be recognized with the 2008-09 Sportsmanship Cup on Saturday, July 11, at the RMAC Centennial Celebration at Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs. For more information about the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, visit www.rmacsports.org. To learn more about CCU Athletics, visit www.ccu.edu/athletics.

About Colorado Christian University

As the only Council for Christian Colleges and Universities member located in the Rocky Mountains and minutes from Denver, Colorado Christian University provides a distinctive educational experience with an intentionally Christ-centered foundation. More than 3,400 undergraduate, adult, and graduate students enroll annually at CCU's main campus, in online programs, and at centers throughout Colorado. CCU offers 44 academic programs that equip students professionally, spiritually, and interpersonally to be leaders in their careers, communities, and churches. The University charge is also to engage the world with the message of Jesus Christ. Across the last decade, CCU has established numerous campus-based ministries to serve the Denver area and has sent more than 100 short-term mission trips throughout the United States and to approximately 20 countries.