The University of Toledo was awarded with the Jacoby Trophy as the top women’s athletic program in the Mid-American Conference at the MAC Honors Dinner in Cleveland Wednesday night.
The Rockets earned the honor for just the second time in the 36-year history of this prestigious award. Toledo also won the award in 2012.
Eastern Michigan won the Reese Trophy in the men’s competition.
For the 2017-18 academic year, the Rockets won the MAC women’s soccer title for the first time since 2011 and finished second in the MAC in women’s cross country and women’s golf. In softball, Toledo (33-20, 16-7 MAC) was MAC West co-champion and earned a berth in the National Invitational Softball Championship, the Rockets’ first postseason appearance in 26 years.
In women’s basketball, the Rockets finished the regular season with an 18-15 overall record, 8-10 in the MAC, for a No. 7 seed. Toledo participated in the postseason in the WNIT with a win over Wright State before a second-round loss by two points at Michigan State.
In track and field, the Rockets finished the outdoor season with a third-place finish in the MAC Championship after posting a fifth-place finish during the indoor meet. In women’s tennis, the Rockets finished with a 15-6 overall record, 5-3 in the MAC, for a No. 3 seed in the MAC Championship. Toledo ended the volleyball season with a 12-16 overall mark, including 7-9 in the MAC. In swimming and diving, Toledo posted a sixth-place finish with 254 team points in the conference meet.
“This is a tremendous recognition for our program,” said UT Vice President and Athletic Director Mike O’Brien. “The student-athletes and coaches in our women’s programs have truly earned their recognition as the best in the Mid-American Conference. We are extremely proud of everything they have accomplished and congratulate them for this outstanding achievement.”
For the Reese and Jacoby trophies, points are awarded based on each school’s finish, with the overall total divided by the number of sports sponsored by each school. Toledo participated in 10 sports and earned 89.25 points for a league-best 8.925 average. Miami came in second, averaging 8.05 points per sport.
The women’s trophy is named for former MAC Commissioner Fred Jacoby. Jacoby was the MAC commissioner from 1971 to 1982 and is credited with incorporating women’s athletics into the conference structure.
2017-18 Final Jacoby (Women’s) Standings
School — Points Avg.
Toledo — 8.925
Miami — 8.050
Kent State — 7.900
Buffalo — 7.900
Eastern Michigan — 7.363
Central Michigan — 7.000
Western Michigan — 6.800
Bowling Green — 6.545
Northern Illinois — 6.350
Akron — 6.000
Ball State — 5.895
Ohio — 5.600
