Simon Fraser University is currently seventh in the race for the Division II Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup.
The nation-wide NCAA competition measures the overall success of collegiate athletics programs by awarding points based on order of finish in NCAA championships.
It is the highest standing the Clan has ever achieved since moving to NCAA in 2010.
Simon Fraser has only been eligible for the Learfield Cup for the past two seasons after becoming eligible for NCAA post-season competition in 2012. The Clan was ranked 32nd in 2013-14 and 36th in 2012-13.
SFU dominated competition for the award while in the NAIA, winning six times, including five in a row from 1996 to 2001.
In 2002, SFU began competing in the Canadian conference in some sports and in the NAIA in others and still finished runner-up in 2007-08 and 2009-10.
SFU is now the only Canadian university competing in the NCAA, giving student athletes access to the NCAA experience and a Canadian education.
Grand Valley State is currently first overall with 660 aggregate points among Div. II schools. Colorado Mesa is second with 440.5 points and in third are the Pioneers of LIU Post with 431. Simon Fraser has 348 points to date.
The Clan moved up from 18th place after the fall standing to seventh following the Clan placed seventh in women’s indoor track and field, 12th in women’s swimming and diving, 23rd in men’s swimming and 41st in men’s indoor track and field in the most recent national competitions.
In the fall, Simon Fraser earned points based on the strong performances of its cross-country teams and men's soccer team during the fall. The women's cross-country team finished seventh at nationals, the men's team was 20th and the men's soccer team qualified for the NCAA tournament, losing in the first round.
The women’s track and field/cross country program has contributed 144 points to Simon Fraser’s standing. The program has also achieved recognition from the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association, where it is currently rated the third best program after completion of the cross-country and indoor track seasons.
The women’s swimming and diving contributed 64.5 points to the Learfield Cup standings. Out of the pool, the team was recognized by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America as one of its 2014 Fall Scholar All-America teams by posting a cumulative team GPA above 3.0.
The final Learfield Cup Division II winter standings will be released on April 2. Final standings will be published upon the completion of the spring season.
There are 198 schools that have registered points in the competition.
The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and USA Today. The award honors institutions maintaining a broad-based program, achieving success in many sports, both men's and women's. It began in 1993-94 for Division I, and it was expanded in 1995-96 to include Division II, III and the NAIA.
Complete standings and the scoring structure can be found at: http://thedirectorscup.com/
