Cal State-Bakersfield Holds Onto Lead as the Winter Championship Season Closes in the Race for the Division II Sears Directors' Cup

As of April 20, 1998

Cleveland, Ohio -- As the winter season comes to a close, California State University-Bakersfield holds a 50-point lead in the race for the 1997-98 Division II Sears Directors' Cup program, presented by the nation's athletics directors.

Cal State-Bakersfield has tallied 390 points, adding a national championship in men's swimming and a second place finish in women's swimming, in its quest for the Sears Directors' Cup, administered by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and sponsored by Sears, Roebuck and Co. The Roadrunners also placed 11th in men's wrestling and 17th in men's basketball. However, right behind is two-time defending champion California-Davis, in second place with 340 points. Rounding out the top five are South Dakota, third with 260 points; Abilene Christian (Tex.), fourth with 250 points; and Western State (Col.), fifth with 230 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 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 are the final winter standings and include the sports of men's and women's basketball, fencing, women's gymnastics, men's ice hockey, rifle, skiing, women's and men's swimming, women's and men's indoor track and field and men's wrestling. In addition to Cal State-Bakersfield, winning national titles in those sports were North Dakota in women's basketball, California-Davis in men's basketball, Alabama-Huntsville in men's hockey, Drury (Mo.) in women's swimming; Abilene Christian (Tex.) in women's and men's track and field; and North Dakota State in men's wrestling.

The highest finish for a Division II institution in fencing, women's gymnastics, rifle and skiing, National Collegiate Championships, were 15th in fencing for Wayne State (Mich.), 31st in women's gymnastics for California-Davis; second in rifle for Alaska-Fairbanks, and third in skiing for Denver.

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 winter sports standings to date follows.

Go to Standings