Hampton University, Saint Augustine's College and Langston University are the top HBCU athletics programs based on the final standings of the 2009-10 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup.
Hampton was tabbed as the top-ranked Division I program. Saint Augustine's topped the Division II HBCUs and Langston was the HBCU leader for NAIA programs.
The Directors' Cup is presented annually to the best college athletics program in NCAA Divisions I, II and III and the NAIA. Hampton finished 125th overall with 131.88 points.
Most of their points came from indoor and outdoor track and field with women's basketball contributing 25 points. South Carolina State finished with 75 points to become the second highest ranked HBCU in Division I.
Southern and Arkansas-Pine Bluff were the top ranked SWAC programs finishing tied with Bethune-Cookman in 204th place with 50 points.
Stanford won the Division I Directors' Cup for the 16th consecutive season with 1,508.5 points, nearly 300 points ahead of second place Florida.
Saint Augustine's finished 38th overall in the Division II standings with 379.50 points. They scored most of their points in men’s track and field, which accounted for 190 points.
The Falcons won the NCAA outdoor title and were NCAA indoor runner-ups this season. Points were also scored in women’s track and field (139.5) and men’s basketball (50).
The Falcons finished higher than two other HBCUs among the top 75 schools. Lincoln (Mo.) was 47th overall with 342.50 points, and Johnson C. Smith University was 67th with 270 points.
Saint Augustine’s College and Johnson C. Smith are both members of the CIAA.
Fort Valley State was the highest ranked member of the SIAC. The Wildcats were ranked 117th with 174.5 points followed by Albany State (129th - 159.5 pts).
Grand Valley State (Mich.) scored 1,021.50 points to claim the Division II Directors’ Cup. California (Pa.) was second with 703 points and Central Missouri was third with 672 points.
Langston was the top ranked HBCU in the NAIA standings. The Lions finished 52nd overall with 243.5 points. Xavier University was the second ranked NAIA HBCU coming in #85 with 155 points.
Azusa (Calif.) Pacific (820 points) took the cup for the NAIA for the sixth year in succession, edging Simon Fraser (British Columbia - 817pts) in the closest finish among the four divisions.
The Directors’ Cup is presented annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Learfield Sports and USA Today to the best overall collegiate athletics programs in the country in NCAA Divisions I, II, and III and the NAIA.
The program began in 1993-94 for Division I by NACDA and USA Today. It was expanded in 1995-96 to include Division II, III and the NAIA. Learfield Sports became the title sponsor in 2008.
Posted By: Reginald Culpepper
Monday, July 12th 2010 at 6:44PM
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