OXFORD, Ohio -- For the second year in a row, and the third time in school history, the University of Rio Grande has earned the Michael J. Schell River States Conference Commissioner's All-Sports Cup for the 2025-26 school year. The RedStorm once again neared a perfect score, tallying 85 of a possible 90 points.
Standings for the RSC Commissioner's All-Sports Cup take into account each school's finish in the RSC championship sports that it sponsors. The standings score the top nine sports from each school. Points are awarded on a scale of 10 with 10 points for first place, nine for second and so on. For sports that have more than 10 schools participating, no points are earned for schools finishing below 10th place. Standings are tabulated based on regular-season finish in the sports that have regular-season standings. For sports that do not have regular-season standings, the championship meet or tournament is used. For sports that have adopted point systems, the rank order of the points were used.
The top four finishers in the final standings are published as customary in the conference. Indiana University jumped from sixth place in 2025 to second place in 2022, while Oakland City University was third with 78.5 points. Indiana University Kokomo also moved up in the standings, going from fifth in 2025 to fourth this year with 74 points.
The RedStorm's dominance in the athletics events once again led the charge to the Cup, as four of Rio's five conference titles came in cross country and track and field. The RedStorm were also conference champions in women's basketball, and placed second in women's indoor and outdoor track, as well as men's soccer. Any one of Rio's third place finishes (women's volleyball, men's golf, softball) counted to their final score.
IU East won three conference championships in 2025-26, sweeping the two women's track and field championships and claiming the title in men's golf. The RedWolves also added runner-up finishes in men's cross country, men's indoor track, and women's golf to sneak ahead of Oakland City by a half point for second place.
Oakland City was second in the conference in total championships, winning four in women's soccer, women's tennis, men's tennis, and softball. IU Kokomo's fourth place finish was powered by a championship in women's volleyball and runner-up finishes in women's soccer, men's basketball, and men's outdoor track.
In 2025, the RSC Council of Presidents approved a recommendation to name the RSC Commissioner's Cup in honor of Commissioner Michael J. Schell, a perpetual honor that will annually recognize Michael Schell for his contributions to the conference. Schell passed away in May 2025 after a courageous battle with stomach cancer.
RSC COMMISSIONER'S CUP ALL-TIME WINNERS
(First Year 2008-09)
2008-09 IU Southeast
2009-10 IU Southeast
2010-11 IU Southeast
2011-12 IU Southeast
2012-13 Point Park (Pa.)
2013-14 IU Southeast
2014-15 Point Park (Pa.)
2015-16 Point Park (Pa.)
2016-17 Rio Grande (Ohio)
2017-18 IU Southeast
2018-19 IU Southeast
2019-20 Not Awarded (COVID-19)
2020-21 Point Park (Pa.)
2021-22 Point Park (Pa.)
2022-23 Point Park (Pa.)
2023-24 Point Park (Pa.)
2024-25 Rio Grande (Ohio)
2025-26 Rio Grande (Ohio)