Washington University Athletics Third in Division III Directors’ Cup Standings
St. Louis, Mo., June 20, 2011 — The Washington University in St. Louis Department of Athletics finished third in the 2010-11 Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Division III standings, as announced Monday by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
The third-place finish is the second highest in school history and the Bears’ ninth-straight top-10 appearance–2009-10 (third), 2008-09 (fourth), 2007-08 (second), 2006-07 (fifth), 2005-06 (seventh), 2004-05 (third), 2003-04 (ninth), 2002-03 (fifth). Washington University, which was first after the fall and third in the winter standings, accumulated a school record 964 points. The Bears’ previous high was 899 points after a second-place finish in 2007-08.
Williams College won its 15th-straight Directors’ Cup and 17th in the last 18 years with 1,147 points. Middlebury College (1,063.17 points), Washington U. (964 points), Amherst College (889.50 points) and Calvin College (762.25 points) rounded out the top five.
Washington University is one of seven University Athletic Association (UAA) members within the top 100 in Division III–Emory University (seventh, 692 points), University of Chicago (27th, 445.50 points), New York University (43rd, 340.67 points), University of Rochester (52nd, 302.50 points), Carnegie Mellon University (91st, 203 points) and Brandeis University (99th, 189 points). Case Western Reserve University finished just outside the top-100 (106th place) with 183 points.
Washington University had 16 of 19 teams compete in NCAA Tournament action, including seven top-10 finishes. WU also won four University Athletic Association (UAA) titles and posted a combined sports record of 204-78-8 (.717).
The Bears had five teams make Final Four appearances in 2010-11, led by runner-up finishes by women’s cross country and women’s basketball. In addition, men’s tennis and volleyball took home third-place honors while men’s outdoor track and field capped the year with a fourth-place finish.
Washington U. also placed eighth in women’s golf and men’s indoor track and field, ninth in men’s cross country, 16th in men’s swimming and diving, 17th in men’s and women’s soccer and women’s tennis, 24th in women’s swimming and diving, 27th in women’s indoor track and field, 34th in softball and 37th in women’s indoor track and field.
The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between NACDA and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 18 sports -- nine women’s and nine men’s.