RICHMOND, Ky. - The EKU soccer team was awarded the inaugural Colonel Challenge Cup in a presentation held at the Colonel Student-Athlete Olympics Tuesday evening at Roy Kidd Stadium. 

The Colonel Challenge was a year-long competition amongst all of the Eastern varsity athletic teams that focused on the five NCAA CHAMPS/Life Skills commitment areas: Academic Excellence, Athletic Excellence, Commitment to Service, Personal Development and Career Development.  Teams earned points by participating in various activities and events sponsored by the athletic department and university. 

Through the Colonel Challenge, Eastern student-athletes completed more than 1,250 community service hours in 70 different projects, had more than 200 Colonel Scholars, hosted speakers addressing topics such as nutrition, managing finances and leadership,  attended career fairs and supported fellow Colonels by going to one another’s athletic competitions. 

Finishing in first place, the soccer team totaled 5,930 points.  Women’s basketball finished second with a total of 4,330 points while softball finished third with a total of 4,230 points. 

The winners were announced as a part of the Colonel Student-Athlete Olympics, an event organized by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Bratzke Student-Athlete Academic Success Center.  Student-athletes were split up into 12 teams to go head-to-head in six different challenges that included a sports themed relay race, water balloon toss and tug-of-war.  Following the games, the student-athletes were joined by coaches and administrators for a cook-out and the awards presentation.