The Weekender: Stanford's Director's Cup Streak is Snapped, Kofi Cockburn is Leaving Illinois, and Mark Richt Has Parkinson's Disease

By 11W Staff on July 4, 2021 at 2:35 pm
Kofi Cockburn is leaving.
IndyStar-USA TODAY Sports
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Streak Snapped

If you're under the age of 27, you have not been alive for a time when Stanford didn't win the Director's Cup, an award that crowns the nation's top-performing athletic department.

The Cardinal have claimed the cup for absurd 25-straight times, but that streak has finally been snapped.

This is only the second time in history that Stanford has not won the cup as North Carolina won the first Directors Cup back in 1993-94. Both times it did not win the cup, Stanford came in second place.

It's worth noting, this had nothing to do with Stanford cutting 11 varsity sports. Those cuts were slated to take place after the 2020-21 athletic season and the decision to eliminate the sports has since been reversed, with Stanford deciding not to cut any sports.

Prayers up, Mark Richt

Not all news this week was lighthearted. On Thursday, longtime college football head coach Mark Richt shared that he's been diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease.

Richt, of course, coached Georgia from 2001 to 2015 and briefly led the Miami Hurricanes from 2016 to 2018. He currently serves as an analyst on the ACC Network, and according to his letter, he has no plans to retire from that position.

Goodbye, so long, etc.

Illinois knew that there was a chance it would be losing its star big man if he got good feedback during the NBA Draft process, but now it seems they'll be losing him no matter what as Kofi Cockburn has also entered the NCAA Transfer Portal.

Cockburn has been a force since arriving in Champaign. He was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year in 2020 and as a consensus second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten last year.

Last season, he averaged nearly a double-double a game, putting up 17.7 rebounds and 9.5 boards per game.

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