Missouri State University

ST. LOUIS - Powered by Missouri Valley Conference championships in men's basketball and women's swimming and diving, Missouri State finished second in the 2010-11 MVC All-Sports Trophy standings, the 10-member league announced Wednesday (May 25).

In its 13 league-sponsored sports, Missouri State accumulated an average finish of 3.35, which ranked just behind Wichita State (2.73) which won five MVC titles this year in claiming the trophy for the 18th time overall and sixth time in eight years. Illinois State (3.44) was third, followed by Southern Illinois (4.78) and Northern Iowa (4.80) to round out the top five.

"I’m very proud of our coaches and student-athletes for their overall performance," said MSU Director of Athletics Kyle Moats. "Being in contention for the MVC All-Sports Trophy is something we strive to do every  year, and we will continue to work hard to create the best experience for our student-athletes to reach that goal. I also want to congratulate Wichita State on their success and for an outstanding year."

For Missouri State, this year's finish marked its 17th top-four finish in 19 years and matched MSU's best finish since finishing second in 2005-06. Likewise, the Bears' average finish of 3.35 was its second-best score since the current system was implemented by The Valley in 1993-94, falling just shy of the program's high-water mark of 3.28 in 2002-03.

Missouri State's other top league finishes this season, included second-place finishes in women's basketball, men's soccer and women's soccer, third-place showings in women's cross country, men's golf and women's golf and fourth-place finishes in volleyball and baseball. In all, eight MSU programs finished among the top three in their respective MVC races, while two additional programs -- volleyball and softball -- advanced to NCAA Tournament competition. The Bears also tied for third in football, which competes in the Missouri Valley Football Conference and is not included in the MVC All-Sports standings.

Missouri State won the MVC All-Sports Award in 1999-2000, 2001-02 and 2002-03 and has now finished second six times. Since 1995, either Missouri State, Wichita State or Illinois State has claimed the MVC All-Sports Award.

Previous Missouri State finishes in the MVC All-Sports Championship standings:

Year  -  Place
1990-91 - 2nd
1991-92 - 3rd
1992-93 - No award
1993-94 - 4th (4.13)
1994-95 - 4th (4.71)
1995-96 - 3rd (4.35)
1996-97 - 2nd (3.83)
1997-98 - 4th (3.78)
1998-99 - 2nd (4.13)
1999-00 - 1st (3.47)
2000-01 - 3rd (4.11)
2001-02 - 1st (3.53)
2002-03 - 1st (3.28)
2003-04 - 2nd (3.83)
2004-05 - 3rd (4.17)
2005-06 - 2nd (3.64)
2006-07 - 5th (4.88)
2007-08 - 7th (4.85)
2008-09 - 4th (4.35)
2009-10 - 4th (4.35)
2010-11 - 2nd (3.35)