INDIANAPOLIS — Drury University capped a banner 2025-26 academic year by claiming its third Great Lakes Valley Conference Commissioner’s Cup, the league office announced Thursday.
The Panthers earned the prestigious honor for the second time in the last five years by posting the strongest finish in the league’s eight sports that all 15 conference members sponsor at the intercollegiate level. Points are allocated for the Commissioner’s Cup based on the athletic department’s finish in the GLVC’s postseason tournaments and league standings in baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, softball and men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field.
Drury qualified for the GLVC Championship Tournament in all eight sports this year, highlighted by a league title in women’s soccer and a runner-up finish in men’s basketball. This year marks the second time under current Vice President and Director of Athletics Nyla Milleson the Panthers and Lady Panthers have been recognized as the Commissioner’s Cup winners, with DU claiming the same honor in 2021-22.
Drury’s also captured the GLVC Commissioner’s Cup in 2014-15.
“This is a tremendous honor and it speaks to the caliber of individuals we have on our campus,” Milleson stated. “I’m proud of the work of our student-athletes, coaches and administrators and thankful for the relentless effort they’ve invested in upholding the standards of excellence and championship tradition that define Drury. We look forward to even bigger things in 2026-27.”
Drury earned 83.5 points over the course of the academic year, besting runner-up McKendree (81.5) by two points. Maryville finished third with 72.5 points, while Indianapolis tallied 69 points in fourth, and Missouri S&T and UMSL tied for fifth with 66.5 points apiece.
Rockhurst finished a close seventh with 66 points, with Lewis placing eighth with 54 points. Rounding out the back half of the standings were Quincy (47.5), Illinois Springfield (46.5), Southwest Baptist (39), Truman State (39), Lincoln (36.5), William Jewell (35.25) and Upper Iowa (31.25).
2025-26 GLVC Commissioner’s CupStandings
1. Drury (83.5)
2. McKendree (81.5)
3. Maryville (72.5)
4. Indianapolis (69)
5. Missouri S&T (66.5)
UMSL (66.5)
7. Rockhurst (66)
8. Lewis (54)
9. Quincy (47.5)
10. Illinois Springfield (46.5)
11. Southwest Baptist (39)
Truman State (39)
13. Lincoln (36.5)
14. William Jewell (35.25)
15. Upper Iowa (31.25)