May 16, 2007
STANFORD, CA - Once again, Stanford stepped up to meet the ultimate challenge issued by Lexus and defeated archrival Cal in the year-round, all-sports competition to retain the all-encompassing Lexus Gauntlet trophy. Stanford won the third annual Lexus Gauntlet competition by a score of 77.5-57.5.
In addition, Lexus will honor one student-athlete from each university with a scholarship for sportsmanship. This year's recipients are Stanford's Trent Edwards and Justin Forsett of Cal.
In all, the battle for the Lexus Gauntlet saw Cal and Stanford compete head-to-head in 26 designated varsity sports. Points are awarded toward the perpetual trophy for every meeting between the Cardinal and Bears. A total of 135 points are at stake between each sport's season series and conference championships (for those sports that didn't allow for a head-to-head contest). It takes 70 points to clinch the Gauntlet.
It marks the third consecutive year that the Cardinal has won the prized rivalry award and with it bragging rights of college sports supremacy in the Bay Area. Stanford edged Cal to capture the inaugural trophy in 2005 by a score of 70-65. In 2006, the Cardinal retained the Lexus Gauntlet by winning 77.5-57.5 before winning its third Lexus Gauntlet championship in 2007.
Lexus is proud to be a leading sponsor of both the Cal and Stanford athletic departments. For more than 100 years, the Stanford-Cal rivalry has helped define the landscape of college athletics in the Bay Area and beyond. Each time these champion rivals compete it is a build up to the Big Game. Now, that Lexus has thrown down the absolute challenge - the Lexus Gauntlet - it is an even bigger game.
About Stanford Athletics
Founded in 1891, Stanford Athletics is a member of the Pac-10 Conference and the National Collegiate Athletic Association. Its administrative and coaching staff is committed to offering a wide range of high quality programs which will encourage and facilitate all participants to realize opportunities for championship athletic participation, recreation, physical fitness, health and well-being. Stanford Athletics manages 14 world-class sports facilities including Stanford Stadium, Maples Pavilion, Avery Aquatic Center and Stanford Golf Course. Serving more than 850 student athletes representing 35 intercollegiate athletic sports programs, no athletic department in the country can boast the kind of success that Stanford has accomplished since the 1980s. With 76 NCAA team champions (the most in the nation), 52 NCAA individual champions (also the most in the nation), 12 consecutive Directors' Cup titles, and 64 Olympic medals since the 1992 Games, it's no wonder Stanford Athletics is widely known as the "Home of the Champions."
About Cal Athletics
The excellence of the University of California's intercollegiate athletic program rivals the school's academic reputation, as Cal boasts one of the finest all-around departments in the nation. Over the years, Golden Bear teams have captured more than 70 national team championships, while claiming over 160 NCAA individual championships. The University sponsors a total of 27 intercollegiate sports -- 14 for women and 13 for men -- and features one of the NCAA's larger and broad-based programs with more than 850 student-athletes.