The Celts finished with 605 total points, edging out Texas Lutheran by just 7.5 points and Colorado College by 15 points to bring the historic railroad bell trophy back to Houston for the first time ever.

 

The Presidents' Trophy recognizes the top overall athletic department in the conference, combining results from men's and women's sports throughout the academic year. St. Thomas earned the honor through remarkable consistency across every season, highlighted by strong finishes across multiple programs.

UST captured the 2025-26 SCAC Men's Basketball Championship and added runner-up finishes in men's cross country, men's swimming & diving, and women's golf. The Celts also posted third-place conference finishes in volleyball and women's tennis while consistently scoring valuable points throughout the year in nearly every sport sponsored by the university.

The women's programs led the way for St. Thomas, finishing first overall in the conference women's standings with 312.5 points. The men's side added 292.5 points, tying for second overall among SCAC institutions.

"This accomplishment reflects the tremendous potential of both the University and the Athletic Department," said UST Athletic Director Todd Smith. "I am so happy for — and proud of — our coaches and student-athletes. Achievements like this do not happen accidentally; they are the result of years of recruiting, organization, planning, and an incredible amount of hard work by our coaches and student-athletes."

The championship marks a milestone moment for the Celts athletic department, especially considering the competitiveness of the conference race. The 7.5-point margin was the closest Presidents' Trophy finish since the 2006-07 season and just the 12th time in the 64-year history of the award that the margin between first and second place was fewer than 10 points.

UST's depth across all sports proved to be the deciding factor. The Celts earned key points throughout the fall, winter, and spring seasons, including strong performances from cross country, swimming, basketball, golf, tennis, softball, track & field, and volleyball.

The historic achievement also places St. Thomas among an elite list of programs to win the conference's top all-sports honor. The Celts become just the 10th institution in league history to claim the Presidents' Trophy and the first new champion since DePauw in 2009-10.

Since its inception in 1962, the Presidents' Trophy has served as the symbol of conference supremacy within the SCAC. The rotating award features a 300-pound railroad bell donated by the Norfolk and Western Railroad and is displayed on the campus of the conference's top overall athletic department for one year.

With the 2025-26 title, the Celts officially etched their name into conference history — a testament to the continued growth, consistency, and excellence of St. Thomas Athletics across every season.


 

NT - Does not field a team in this sport.