Fall Season Ends in a Tie in the Race for the Division II Sears Directors' Cup

As of December 29, 1997

Cleveland, Ohio -- For the first time in the history of the Sears Directors' Cup program, presented by the nation's athletics directors, there is a tie at the end of a season of competition. Adams State College (Col.) and California State University-Bakersfield share the lead as the fall season comes to a close for the 1997-98 Division II Sears Directors' Cup.

Both institutions have scored in two sports, winning one national title, to record 160 points. Adams State won the national championship in women's cross country and placed third in men's cross country, while Cal State-Bakersfield won the title in men's soccer and placed third in women's volleyball in their quest for the Sears Directors' Cup, administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and sponsored by Sears. Rounding out the top five are Lynn (Fla.), third with 140 points; and Northern Colorado and Western State (Col.), tied for fourth with 130 points.

A new scoring structure was implemented this year in which points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 14 sports -- seven for men and seven for women. Each national champion recieves 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, football, women's and men's soccer, women's volleyball and men's water polo. In addition to Adams State and Cal State-Bakersfield, winning national titles in those sports were South Dakota in men's cross country, Bloomsburg in field hockey, Northern Colorado in football, Franklin Pierce in women's soccer and West Texas A&M in women's volleyball. The highest finish for a Division II institution in water polo, a National Collegiate Championship, was third for Queens (N.Y.).

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