UNI Notches Best-Ever Finish in Directors' Cup Standings

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Tyler Mulder, who captured an indoor national title in the 800 meters, helped UNI to its best-ever finish in the NACDA Director's Cup Standings.

Tyler Mulder, who captured an indoor national title in the 800 meters, helped UNI to its best-ever finish in the NACDA Director's Cup Standings.

 

Complete Standings in PDF Format Get Acrobat Reader

Complete Release in PDF Format Get Acrobat Reader

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa finished the 2007-08 year ranked No. 66 in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup Standings, the highest-ever finish for the school.

The Panthers are the highest-ranked Missouri Valley Conference program, and the third-highest FCS school in the rankings.

"What an amazing year for Panther athletics," UNI director of athletics Troy Dannen said. "I am very proud of our coaches and student-athletes who continue to achieve at the very highest level. This year, we've set a new standard for athletic success, and we will continue this drive for excellence next year, striving to finish even higher."

The U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup was developed in 1993-94 as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. It is a program that honors institutions maintaining a broad-based program, achieving success in many sports, both men's and women's.

The Panthers had success throughout the academic year. Volleyball competed in the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year. The football team rolled off a perfect 11-0 regular season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the FCS playoffs.

The men's track and field team finished ninth in the national indoor championships and 11th in the outdoor championships, tallying 12 All-America performances along the way. Included in that group is Tyler Mulder, who finished as the indoor national champion in the men's 800 meters. Women's track and field also picked up points at the outdoor championships, where Rachel Jansen earned All-America honors in the shot put to become UNI's most decorated female track and field athlete.

Wrestling sent nine wrestlers to the NCAA Championships, including Moza Fay, who earned All-America honors with a fifth-place finish. UNI finished 20th as a team.

The United State Sports Academy, based in Daphne, Ala., is the program sponsor. Points are awarded based on each institution's postseason finish in up to 20 sports - 10 women's and 10 men's.

History of UNI's Ranking
Year Rank Pts.
1993-94 91 130.5
1994-95 82 163.0
1995-96 85 154.5
1996-97 107 84.5
1997-98 169 20
1998-99 141 40
1999-2000 84 184
2000-01 90 177.5
2001-02 67 264.5
2002-03 124 130
2003-04 82 202
2004-05 N/A* --
2005-06 70 222
2006-07 86 226
2007-08 66 298.25

*In 2004-05, only the top 100 schools were ranked

 

Where UNI ranks among other...

MVC Schools
Rank/Actual School Pts.
1/66 UNI 298.25
2/101 Southern Illinois 186
3/131 Wichita State 132

 

FCS Football Schools

Rank/Actual School Pts.
1/60 Princeton 349
2/61 Harvard 348
3/66 UNI 298.25

 

State of Iowa Schools

Rank/Actual School Pts.
1/51 Iowa 398
2/58 Iowa State 363.25
3/66 UNI 298.25

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