Commander’s cup up for grabs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class David Owsianka
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  Stretching out to catch a fly ball, diving on the court for a loose ball or catching the game winning touchdown pass is just some of what players need to do for their squadron to gain the points necessary to take home the commander's cup.

The commander's cup program is designed to give Luke Air Force Base squadrons the incentive to participate in base sports programs.

"Having the commander's cup is important for those playing in intramural sports because it gives them a goal to shoot for, and it has shown an increase in participation in the events," said Trever Tucker, 56th Force Support Squadron sports specialist supervisor.

In past years the cup was given to the squadron with the most points at the end of the season, but this year the rules changed.

The competition is currently split between two leagues, large and small squadrons. Large squadrons, those with 150 or more active-duty personnel assigned, compete in the National League. Small squadrons, those with 149 or fewer active-duty personnel assigned, compete in the American League.

Squadrons accumulate points in different ways.

Squadrons receive points for completing an intramural sports season, completing an extramural tournament, intramural regular season win, finishing an intramural or extramural tournament in 1st through 4th place, good sportsmanship and sports representatives attending the sports advisory council meetings.

The champions from each league will compete in a head-to-head, best-of-five commander's cup championship series competing in each of the five intramural sports (basketball, softball, football, soccer and volleyball) at the end of the sports year. The winner will be declared the Commander's Cup Champion for the year.

The 56th Security Forces Squadron has taken home the commander's cup the past two years.

"It felt great keeping our squadron involved in the sports program," said Randy Felciano, 56th SFS reports and analysis chief. During both years, we either won or came close to winning most sports seasons, which pushed us to the top."

The squadron that wins the commander's cup trophy gets to keep it the following calendar year.

"We want Luke members to play hard and be competitive, while showing good sportsmanship, building camaraderie and esprit de corps," Tucker said.