By now it's no secret that East Cooper is home to two of the best high school athletic departments in the state. Once again, the awards have come in to validate it.

Wando and Bishop England were both awarded the South Carolina Athletic Administration Association Director's Cup, presented annually to the most successful athletic department of each classification.

The SCAAA Director's Cup is decided by a points system used to gauge each school's cumulative postseason success in 11 boys and 11 girls sports. Schools earn 100 points for a state championship, 80 for runner-up, 60 for a third- or fourth-place finish, 40 for fifth to eighth, 20 for nine to 16th, and 10 for 17-32nd.

Bishop England, led by athletic director Paul Runey, has won the Class AA Director's Cup each of the 14 years it's been awarded.

The Bishops won state titles in volleyball, girls lacrosse, girls basketball, girls and boys soccer, boys track, girls tennis and girls golf this school year, while the boys golf team finished second in the state. Girls lacrosse and girls golf both earned their first state titles in program history. It was the third consecutive for girls basketball and 16th straight for volleyball, tying a national record.

Wando, led by athletics director Bob Hayes has won the Class AAAA Director's Cup for the past three years, and four of the past five.

The Warriors won state championships in girls track, boys lacrosse, boys cross country, volleyball and girls tennis this year. It was the second straight state title for lacrosse and volleyball.

Bishop England and Wando also won state championships in rugby as the Bishops captured the Division II title and the Warriors Division I. Rugby, not sanctioned by the S.C. High School League and still considered a club sport, does not count toward the Director's Cup standings.

Hilton Head was awarded its sixth consecutive AAA Director's Cup, while St. Joseph's won its fourth straight.