Stanford Increases its Lead as the Winter Championship Season Closes in the Race for the Division I Sears Directors' Cup

As of April 24, 1997

Cleveland, Ohio -- With the completion of the winter championships, Stanford University has increased its lead in race for the Division I Sears Directors' Cup, presented annually by the nation's athletic directors.

The Cardinal, winners of the last two Sears Directors' Cups, administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and sponsored by Sears, boosted their lead to 86 points over second place, Nebraska, 747.5 to 661.5. Stanford added a sixth place in men's gymnastics to go along with its five other top 10 finishes, including a second in women's and men's swimming; third in women's basketball and fencing; and ninth in men's basketball. Rounding out the top five are North Carolina, third, 631.5 points; Florida, fourth, 484.5 points; and Minnesota, fifth with 476.5 points.

These are the final winter standings and include the sports of women's and men's basketball, men's ice hockey, women's and men's swimming, women's and men's indoor track and field, men's wrestling, and the National Collegiate sports of fencing, rifle, skiing and women's and men's gymnastics. Winning these championships were Tennessee in women's basketball; Arizona in men's basketball; Southern California in women's swimming; Auburn in men's swimming; Louisiana State in women's track and field; Arkansas in men's track and field; Iowa in men's wrestling; Penn State in fencing; West Virginia in rifle; Utah in skiing; UCLA in women's gymnastics; and California in men's gymnastics.

There are four Sears Directors' Cup Awards, one to honor the institution with the best all-around athletics program in each of the NCAA's Divisions I, II and III and the NAIA. It is the first-ever cross-sectional all-sports national recognition award for both men and women.

To determine the champion, points are awarded based on each institution's finish in 22 sports--nine core sports for men, nine core sports for women and two wild card sports each for men and women. The core sports include, for men--baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis and track and field; and for women--basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field and volleyball.

The winner of the award will receive a trophy designed by Waterford Crystal, which will tour the country, appearing at major men's and women's events throughout the year.

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