The University of Denver capped its finest year in NCAA Division I history by finishing No. 47 in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors’ Cup, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced today.
A record-breaking 12 teams represented the Pioneers in NCAA postseason competition, and Denver finished with 434.5 points, besting its No. 59 finish in 2004. DU also finished first among Front Range schools for the first time since turning Division I in 1998, followed by Colorado (No. 50), Air Force (No. 123), Colorado State (No. 133), Wyoming (No. 182) and Northern Colorado (No. 236).
DU also was the highest ranked Sun Belt Conference institution, outdistancing No. 122 Western Kentucky by more than 280 points. In addition, the Pioneers were the highest ranked I-AAA school for the first time by topping Pepperdine by over 136 points.
“We are honored to lead the Sun Belt Conference and I-AAA institutions, but even prouder to represent the Front Range as Denver’s University,” athletics Vice Chancellor Peg Bradley-Doppes said. “Our finish directly reflects the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes and coaches. We are growing into a premier Division I athletics program, so it’s a very exciting time to be a DU Pioneer.”
The Pioneers earned 100 points for their 19th NCAA skiing championship, 72.75 for a sixth-place NCAA finish in women’s golf and 64.5 for gymnastics’ 12th-place finish at NCAA nationals.
DU also earned 50 points from women’s tennis, 42 from men’s swimming and diving, 25 each from hockey, men’s lacrosse, women’s soccer and men’s tennis and five from men’s golf.
Stanford University continued its record NACDA winning streak by claiming its unprecedented 14th consecutive award.
The U.S. Sports Academy Directors’ Cup honors four all-sports champions in the NCAA Divisions I, II and III and the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Each institution is awarded points in a pre-determined number of sports for men and women. The overall champion is the institution that has a broad-based program, achieving success in many sports, both men’s and women’s. The winner in each division receives a Waterford crystal trophy and a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship. The program annually provides postgraduate scholarships to students involved in athletics support.
NACDA, now in its 43rd year, is the largest association of collegiate athletics administrators. NACDA boasts a membership of more than 6,100 individuals and more than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Members include athletics directors, associate and assistant athletics directors, conference commissioners and affiliate individuals or corporations.