Athletics Department Ranks 44th in Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Fall Standings

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The Northern Arizona University athletics department ranks tied for 44th in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Fall Standings announced Friday.

The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 20 sports -- 10 women's and 10 men's.

NAU scored points with a pair of national finishes during the fall, highlighted by a fourth-place finish and 80 points by the men’s cross country team. The women’s soccer team also advanced to the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive season, earning 25 points with its 33rd-place finish. The Lumberjacks finished tied with Boise State with 105 points overall.

NAU has ranked among the top 100 in six of the last seven seasons and 11 of the last 13 years in the final standings. The Lumberjacks finished a school-best 58th in the 1996-97 season.

In the falls standings, the Lumberjacks ranked ahead of both state schools with Arizona State in 64th and Arizona 91st overall. NAU was the top ranked Big Sky Conference school among the six schools who earned points.

Stanford remains in the lead in the final fall Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Standings. With 370 points, the Cardinal scored in the top-10 in five of the seven championships they advanced to - second in women's soccer; ninth in men's soccer, women's field hockey and women's volleyball; 10th in men's cross country; 16th in women's cross country; 44th in FBS football.

All nine fall NCAA championships have been completed with the following institutions capturing titles: Villanova (Pa.) (women's cross country and FCS football); Oklahoma State (men's cross country); North Carolina (women's field hockey and women's soccer); Virginia (men's soccer); Southern California (men's water polo); Penn State (women's volleyball); and Alabama (FBS Football).

Big Sky Conference in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup
T44. Northern Arizona
T56. Montana
101. Sacramento State
T121. Eastern Washington
T121. Northern Colorado
T121. Weber State