The University of Toledo was awarded the Jacoby Trophy and the Reese Trophy in the same year for the first time ever as the Mid-American Conference’s top women’s and men’s athletic programs, respectively, at the MAC Honors Dinner in Cleveland on Thursday evening.
The Rockets received the Reese Trophy for a third-consecutive year, and the Jacoby Trophy for the third time overall and first time since 2018.
UToledo Interim President Matt Schroeder and Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair hold the Reese Trophy and Jacoby Trophy, respectively, at the MAC Honors Dinner in Cleveland on Thursday evening. UToledo was awarded both trophies in the same year for the first time as the Mid-American Conference’s top men’s and women’s athletic programs.
During the 2023-24 academic year, the Rockets won MAC championship titles in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s cross country, men’s tennis and women’s tennis. Toledo also captured the MAC’s West Division title in football, in addition to finishing second at the MAC Championships in men’s cross country and women’s golf. UT also qualified for MAC Tournaments in baseball, softball and women’s volleyball.
Toledo’s five MAC titles this season were one shy of its school-record six MAC crowns during the 2022-23 academic year.
“The Jacoby Trophy and the Reese Trophy represent the pinnacle of MAC athletics excellence and to win both in the same year for the first time ever is an amazing accomplishment for our entire university,” said Vice President and Director of Athletics Bryan B. Blair. “Winning five MAC titles this season after capturing a school-record six last year displays the commitment and dedication that our student-athletes, coaches, staff, fans and supporters have put forth to be successful. We are always striving to be the best representatives of The University of Toledo and our community, and we will continue to do that moving forward as we reach for even higher heights, together.”
“We are so proud of all of our student-athletes and the entire team of coaches and staff for being leaders in our conference on the playing field, in the classroom and in our community,” said UToledo Interim President Matt Schroeder. “These consecutive recognitions from the Mid-American Conference highlight the strong commitment to excellence of our athletic department and instill a strong sense of Rocket pride for our entire campus community.”
For the Reese and Jacoby trophies, points are awarded based on each school’s finish, with the overall total divided by the number of sports sponsored by each school.
The men’s trophy is named for former MAC Commissioner David E. Reese. Reese was the first-ever MAC Commissioner and served the conference from its inception in 1946 until 1964. The women’s trophy is named for former MAC Commissioner Fred Jacoby. Jacoby was the MAC Commissioner from 1971-82 and is credited with incorporating women’s athletics into the conference structure.
