March 31, 2004
VILLANOVA, PA. - In the latest United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup Standings updated through March 18, Villanova University is ranked 17th with 261 points. The No. 17 ranking represents the highest at this point among non I-A football schools.
The Wildcats' point total comes on the strength of the women's soccer team's run to the NCAA Tournament's Sweet 16 during the fall season. Since the last update, Villanova earned 43 points from the men's track and field team and 40 points from the women's track and field squad.
The University of Michigan is the current leader with 611.5 points. In addition to being the highest ranked non I-A football school, Villanova is also the third highest among non-state schools (Stanford is third, BYU is fourth).
The United States Sports Academy is serving as this year's sponsor for the NACDA Director's cup. It is the only all-sports competition that recognizes the best overall athletics program in each of the NCAA's four categories. The Director's Cup began for Division I by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and USA Today in 1993-94. There are 318 eligible colleges and universities in the NCAA Division I.
Points are awarded in 20 men's and women's sports, and standings are released 11 times throughout the academic year. The final winter update will be released on April 22, and the final overall standings will be announced on July 1. Last year's winner of the Waterford crystal trophy was Stanford University, for a record ninth consecutive time. Villanova finished in 46th place in 2002-03, the third highest ranking for non I-A football schools.
For more information on the Director's Cup, log onto www.nacda.com.
