HILLSBORO, Ore. — The 2021-22 Northwest Conference regular seasons and championship tournaments have all concluded, and for the first time in the history of its membership in the NWC, George Fox has captured the McIlroy-Lewis All-Sports Trophy.

The Northwest Conference All-Sports Trophy recognizes athletic excellence among NWC institutions across all fields of competition. Points are awarded in descending order for first through ninth (18-16-14, etc.), with two points awarded to ninth-place finishers.

"Winning the conference's all-sport trophy is a tremendous accomplishment for our university and athletic department," said George Fox Athletic Director Adam Puckett. "This trophy doesn't just represent the success of one or two sports, but rather the overall accomplishments of the entire athletics program at George Fox University. All credit goes to our incredible coaching staff and student-athletes who have put in the work to elevate our programs to where they are today.

"A lot of credit and gratitude are also given to President [Robin] Baker, our board of trustees, and [former athletic director] Craig Taylor for making the decisions to start football, swimming and golf, and build some of the finest athletic facilities in Division III athletics."

George Fox earned 262 total points between its 19 conference teams and led all conference members in championships in 2021-22 with seven. The Bruins were league champs in men's tennis, women's golf, women's lacrosse, and men's and women's track and field in the spring. They also captured conference titles in men's and women's cross country in the fall.

George Fox was the only NWC school with all of its spring sports active in their respective conference postseasons, and those teams finished no lower than fourth in the spring sports standings. In addition to their champions, the Bruins notched a runner-up finish in softball, third-place finishes in men's golf and baseball, and a fourth-place finish in women's tennis.

George Fox has built its success on and off the playing fields around the athletics' mission statement "to provide a competitive experience that breeds athletic excellence, academic success, and Christlike character."

That success has been a steady build across the department. In the last decade, the Bruins have grown their football, golf, swimming and lacrosse programs from zero-year into conference contenders, joining the Bruins' pillar programs like cross country, track and field, women's basketball, and softball – to name a few. The women's track program won its first national title in 2018. The university's facilities have seen millions of dollars in capital projects invested over that same span.

In the classroom, George Fox has set and rebroken its school record for Northwest Conference scholar-athletes at the conclusion of each academic year for nine years running. The Bruins finished with 196 student-athletes at or above a 3.5 GPA in 2020-21. As an athletic department, George Fox compiled a 3.42 GPA in 2020-21, and has seen that number rise annually over the past five years.

This year, the Bruins put together 130 All-Northwest Conference performances as a department, with three NWC Players of the Year, three Freshman of the Year, and six Coach of the Year honorees. They have sent multiple individuals to NCAA postseason competitions, and this spring they will have at least two teams in the NCAA postseason, with more track and field individuals still competing and a softball team still pending the NCAA selection committee's decision.

Final grades have not yet been posted for 2021-22 – commencement took place on April 30 – but George Fox's student-athletes were on track to surpass the department GPA target set by Puckett for 2021-22 after the fall semester.

"This award recognizes more than the success of our talented student-athletes and coaches," Baker said. "It also reflects the great support we receive from our faculty, staff and community. As a university, we can enjoy this honor together."

With a solid foundation built over the past decade throughout the campus community – and now with a title to defend as a university – the future looks bright for George Fox athletics. 

The McIlroy-Lewis All-Sports Trophy is named in honor of John Lewis, the former coach and athletic director (1947-72) at Willamette University, and Jane McIlroy, the former coach, athletic director, and professor for Linfield College's women's programs (1950-82).

George Fox University is classified by U.S. News & World Report as a "Best National University." More than 4,000 students attend classes on the university's campus in Newberg, Ore., and at teaching centers in Portland, Salem and Redmond, Oregon. George Fox offers more than 60 undergraduate academic programs, degree-completion programs for working adults, and 19 master's and doctoral degrees.