The University of Southern Indiana Department of Athletics posted its second consecutive top 25 finish in the Learfield Sports Director’s Cup standings, finishing the 2015-16 academic year ranked No. 25 in the nation as announced by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
USI, which is under the leadership of Director of Athletics Jon Mark Hall, was one of three Great Lakes Valley Conference schools to be ranked in the top 25, with Lewis University and the University of Indianapolis finishing sixth and seventh, respectively.
Grand Valley State University held its position as the top Athletic Department in the country for the third straight year and 11th time in the last 13 years after racking up 1070 points, more than 300 points ahead of second-place St. Leo University.
The Screaming Eagles, who finished with 463.0 points, got scoring contributions in nine sports, including six of their eight spring sports.
“We are proud of our top 25 finish in the Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings this year,” Hall said. “Our cross country programs had an outstanding fall and our spring sports really finished strong for us, capped by the great postseason run by our baseball team.
“This is a true indication of how hard our student-athletes and coaches are working and we hope we can continue to improve on our place in these standings,” Hall continued. USI was 24th a year ago after finishing 32nd in 2013-14. Its top finish prior to the 2014-15 season was 30th in 1997-98.
USI Men’s and Women’s Cross Country began the year with 10th-place finishes at the NCAA II Championships before Men’s Track & Field earned a 26th-place finish at the NCAA II Indoor Championships.
In the spring, the Eagles received contributions from Men’s Tennis, Softball, and Women’s Golf before Men’s and Women’s Track & Field posted finishes of 21st and 31st, respectively, at the NCAA II Outdoor Championships.
USI Baseball capped the year off with its fourth NCAA II Championship Series appearance in the last 10 years.
After finishing the fall season ranked No. 24, the Eagles dropped into a tie for No. 53 in the standings with 182 total points heading into the spring. USI, however, received a combined 280.5 points from its spring sports, including a Department-best 78 from Baseball, to leap-frog back into the top 25. The 280.5 points ranked No. 14 in the nation for spring sport scoring.
In all, Men’s Cross Country/Track & Field accounted for 167 points, while Women’s Cross Country/Track & Field accounted for 108 points. Women’s Golf racked up 60 points, while Softball and Men’s Tennis each contributed 25 points.
On the conference level, USI finished fourth in the final All-Sports Trophy standings for 2015-16. The Eagles were eighth in the Commissioner’s Cup standings in 2015-16.
2015-16 USI Department of Athletics Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup scoring breakdown
Fall
Men’s Cross Country: 10th (67.5 pts)
Women’s Cross Country: 10th (67.5 pts)
Winter
Men’s Indoor Track & Field: t-26th (47.5 pts)
Spring
Baseball: 5th (78 pts)
Men’s Tennis: 32nd (25 pts)
Women’s Golf: 13th (60 pts)
Softball: 33rd (25 pts)
Men’s Outdoor Track & Field: t-21st (52 pts)
Women’s Outdoor Track & Field: t-31st (40.5 pts)
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USI Department of Athletics All-Time Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup finishes
2015-16: 25th (463.0 pts)
2014-15: 24th (477.0 pts)
2013-14: 32nd (429.75 pts)
2012-13: 43rd (363.0 pts)
2011-12: t-81st (223.0 pts)
2010-11: 99th (203.5 pts)
2009-10: 34th (407.0 pts)
2008-09: 53rd (305.0 pts)
2007-08: 96th (191.5 pts)
2006-07: 41st (359.5 pts)
2005-06: 37th (312.5 pts)
2004-05: 48th (281.75 pts)
2003-04: 38th (312.5 pts)
2002-03: 48th (281.0 pts)
2001-02: t-149th (80.0 pts)
2000-01: t-93rd (137.0 pts)
1999-00: t-90th (109.0 pts)
1998-99: t-45th (110.0 pts)
1997-98: t-30th (150.0 pts)
1996-97: 45th (181.5 pts)
1995-96: 71st (93.0 pts)
