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Â鶹ÊÓƵ celebrated its athletics on June 10 for capturing the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup for the second consecutive year. This landmark achievement marks the first time in Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s history that the Cardinals have successfully defended both the Commissioner’s Cup and the Men’s All-Sports Trophy in back-to-back seasons.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ earned 147.5 points to win the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup, narrowly edging out Stephen F. Austin. The win caps a dominant stretch for LU Athletics, which has now claimed five of the league’s top nine trophies over the past three years.

The men’s teams contributed 73.5 points, topping the University of the Incarnate Word by just one point, while the women’s teams posted 74 points, placing third overall. Among the highlights were championship wins by the women’s cross-country team, standout finishes in football, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and men’s golf, as well as a breakthrough season for the softball squad. Volleyball also made significant strides, qualifying for its first conference tournament since 2011.

Vice President and Director of Athletics Jeff O’Malley emphasized the collective effort behind the program’s success.

“This victory belongs to every member of the Lamar community,” he said. “From coaches to support staff to student-athletes, everyone played a role in reaching this goal. When I arrived to LU in 2022, winning the Commissioner’s Cup was a key objective, and achieving it this quickly speaks volumes about our commitment.”

University President Dr. Jaime Taylor credited the achievement to a cultural shift that has taken root in recent years, one that emphasizes unity across departments and puts student-athletes at the heart of the mission.

“Our coaches are incredible role models,” Taylor said. “They care deeply, not just about how our athletes compete on the field, but who they become after graduation. The support from our staff, the camaraderie between teams, and the increased focus on academics have all been difference-makers.”

Southland Conference Commissioner Chris Grant praised Â鶹ÊÓƵ not just for winning, but for elevating the standard across the league.

“You all are showing what alignment looks like, from student-athletes to coaches to university leadership,” Grant said. “That’s how you build something sustainable. And Lamar has become a model for how to do that while lifting others around you.”

To learn more about Lamar Athletics, visit lamarcardinals.com.