Athletics Department Earns Top 100 Ranking; Quality Grade Report
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – The
Northern Arizona University athletics department combined the best
of both worlds during the 2008-09 academic year with a Top 100
Leerfield Sports Directors Cup standing and a quality grade report
for its more than 350 student-athletes. NAU ranked among the top
100 for the sixth time in the last seven seasons and 11th overall
in the last 13 years.
The Lumberjacks were ranked 96th overall aided by a 32nd-place
national finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships
last month. NAU also earned points in men’s and women’s
cross country in the fall with two national finishes with the men
sixth and the women finishing 23rd. NAU also earned points in
women’s soccer and women’s golf.
The Leerfield 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.
Northern Arizona’s campaign was highlighted by seven Big Sky
Championships including titles in men’s and women’s
cross country, women’s golf, women’s soccer,
men’s and women’s indoor track and field, as well as
men’s outdoor track and field. NAU finished second in
swimming and diving and women’s outdoor track in field in
their respective conferences.
Academically, NAU student-athletes combined to record a 3.11
cumulative grade point average. It marked the 20th semester with a
cumulative GPA above 3.0 over the last 11 years spanning 22
semesters for the department.
Golden Eagle Distributors, Inc. honored 164 student-athletes for
their scholastic and athletic accomplishments at the 31st annual
Golden Eagle Awards. The Golden Eagle Awards recognize NAU athletes
who have made significant contributions to the Lumberjack athletics
program while maintaining a minimum of a 3.0 grade point
average.
Thirty-five Northern Arizona University student-athletes and
department student assistants participated in spring commencement
ceremonies on the NAU campus and were commissioned degrees as part
of the Class of 2009.
The final standings for the Sterling Savings Presidents Cup, an
annual award that recognizes a combination of academic and athletic
achievement, will be announced later this summer.
Big Sky Conference in the Leerfield Sports
Directors’ Cup
96. Northern Arizona
139. Montana
173. Portland State
193. Weber State
200. Sacramento State
227. Montana State
271. Northern Colorado
