Defending Champion Edges Out Inaugural Champ as the Fall Season Closes in the Race for the Division I Sears Directors' Cup

As of January 8, 1998

Cleveland, Ohio -- Three-time defending champion Stanford University, has taken a 30-point lead over the inaugural champion, University of North Carolina, as the fall season comes to a close in the race for the 1997-98 Division I Sears Directors' Cup, presented by the nation's athletics directors.

Stanford took the lead on the strength of two national championships, in men's cross country and women's volleyball. The Cardinal also placed second in women's cross country and 17th in men's soccer to record 290 points. North Carolina also won two national titles, in field hockey and women's soccer, and added a fourth place finish in football, to record 260 points. The Sears Directors' Cup is administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and sponsored by Sears. Rounding out the top five are Michigan, third with 200 points; Nebraska, fourth with 190 points; and California-Los Angeles, fifth with 180 points.

A new scoring structure was implemented this year in which points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 20 sports -- ten for men and ten for women. Each national champion receives 100 points (last year, first place was worth 64 points), while second place is worth 80 points (exceptions include brackets of eight teams - 2nd = 75 points; or brackets of two or four teams - 2nd = 50 points.)

These standings include all fall sports -- women's and men's cross country, field hockey, I-A and I-AA football, women's and men's soccer, women's volleyball and men's water polo. In addition to Stanford and North Carolina, winning national titles in those sports were Brigham Young in women's cross country, Nebraska in I-A football, Youngstown State in I-AA football, California-Los Angeles in men's soccer and Pepperdine in men's water polo.

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.

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.

A complete listing of the fall sports standings follows.

Go to Standings