AT A GLANCE

WHO WAS DAN COOK?

The Express-News Area all-sports award is named in honor of Dan Cook, the late sportswriter and columnist for the newspaper from 1952 to 2003. He also served as the sports anchor for KENS-TV from 1956 to 2000.

SELECTION PROCESS

The winner of the Dan Cook Cup is determined by using a formula similar to the one used by the University Interscholastic League to determine its annual Lone Star Cup winner.

Points are awarded based on district, regional and state team finishes, as well as playoff advancement. Unlike the UIL’s Lone Star Cup formula, the E-N formula factors in team regional competitions.

Points are compiled from the following boys and girls sports: baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, team tennis, track and field, volleyball and wrestling.

In UIL and TAPPS baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and volleyball, district championships are worth 5 points; second place, 3 points; and third place, 1 point. (Although four teams from each district advance to the playoffs, the fourth-place teams are not awarded district points in the Cook Cup standings.)

Each victory or advancement in the UIL playoffs (including byes or forfeits) is worth 2 points; each victory beyond the regional finals or state quarterfinals is worth 5 points. Each victory or advancement in the TAPPS playoffs (including byes or forfeits) is worth 2 points; state championships are worth 5 points.

Points are awarded for regional and state team finishes in UIL and TAPPS cross country, golf, swimming and diving, track and field, wrestling and team tennis. In regional competitions, first place in team standings is worth 5 points, second place, 3 points; and third place, 1 point. In state competitions, first place in team standings is worth 10 points; sec- ond place, 8 points; third place, 6 points; fourth place, 4 points; and fifth place, 2 points.

Points are also awarded to schools for Express-News honors. Team of the Year and Athletes of the Year are worth 10 points; Player of the Year selections in each sport are worth five points.

Only area schools covered by the Express-News are eligible.

Cook