Alpine skier Lindsay Cone’s success during the 2009–10 season helped propel the University of Denver to a 65th-place finish in the Directors’ Cup standings. Photo by: Rich Clarkson & Associates.
The University of Denver capped the 2009–10 athletic season with a No. 65 finish in the NCAA Division I Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup.
The Pioneers sent eight teams as well as individuals from four sports programs to NCAA postseason competition to finish with 306.8 points. DU also finished first among Front Range schools for the third consecutive season, followed by Colorado (No. 69), Air Force (No. 96), Colorado State (No. 123), Wyoming (No. 163) and Northern Colorado (No. 195).
“We are once again honored to represent the Front Range, Sun Belt Conference and I-AAA as the highest-ranked institution,” says Peg Bradley-Doppes, DU’s vice chancellor for athletics and recreation and Ritchie Center operations.
DU was the highest ranked institution in the Sun Belt conference, outdistancing No. 79 Middle Tennessee by more than 89 points. In addition, the Pioneers were the highest ranked I-AAA school for the third consecutive season by topping No. 67 St. John’s by more than 10 points. I-AAA schools do not participate in football.
The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 20 sports — 10 women’s and 10 men’s.
The Pioneers earned 100 points for their 21st NCAA skiing championship, 59.3 points for gymnastics, 47.5 for women’s golf and 25 points each for hockey, men’s lacrosse, women’s soccer and men’s tennis.
Complete standings and the scoring structure can be found on NACDA’s Web site at www.directorscup.org.