The SUNY Cortland men's and women's intercollegiate athletic program finished in 21st place in the 2016-17 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup competition among the approximately 450 eligible NCAA Division III programs competing nationally for the prestigious honor. The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), Learfield Sports and USA Today present the award annually to recognize overall excellence among collegiate athletic programs.

Cortland is one of only five schools nationwide, and the only New York institution, to place in the top 25 each of the 22 years the standings have been compiled on the Division III level. The other schools that hold that distinction are: Williams College (Mass.); Amherst College (Mass.); Middlebury College (Vt.); and Emory University (Ga.).

The Red Dragons finished with a score of 530.25 points. Williams won its 20th Directors' Cup with 1,335.25 points, followed by Washington-St. Louis (1,227), Tufts (Mass.) (926.75), Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.) (895), and Johns Hopkins (Md.) (864.50).

Cortland had eight teams finish in the top 20 in 2016-17 NCAA postseason competitions, including seven top-10 finishes. The men's lacrosse and men's outdoor track and field teams each tied for fifth nationally. The wrestling team finished seventh and the men's indoor track and field team placed ninth, while the men's soccer, baseball and softball squads each tied for ninth place. In addition, the women's lacrosse team tied for 17th place.

The standings are compiled based on schools' national finishes in different sports. Teams earn points by qualifying for the NCAA postseason and additional points for advancing in the playoffs. The national champion in each sport earns 100 points.

There are four Directors' Cup Awards, one to honor overall champions 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. NACDA, which is now in its 52nd year, is the professional and educational association for more than 12,500 college athletics directors, associates, assistants and conference commissioners, along with affiliate individuals or corporations. More than 1,600 institutions throughout the United States, Mexico and Canada are represented in NACDA's membership.

2016-17 LEARFIELD SPORTS DIRECTORS' CUP
Final Division III Standings

Rank, School, Points

1. Williams (Mass.), 1,335.25
2. Washington-St. Louis, 1,227
3. Tufts (Mass.), 926.75
4. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Calif.), 895
5. Johns Hopkins (Md.), 864.5

6. Wisconsin-Whitewater, 843.75
7. Middlebury (Vt.), 836.5
8. Amherst (Mass.), 769.5
9. Emory (Ga.), 765.25
10. Ithaca, 716

11. Mass. Institute of Technology, 667.25
12. Wisconsin-La Crosse, 659.75
13. SUNY Geneseo, 655.5
14. Christopher Newport (Va.), 624
15. Chicago (Ill.), 622

16. Calvin (Mich.), 596.5
17. St. Thomas (Minn.), 588.5
18. Mount Union (Ohio), 552
19. Hope (Mich.),  550
20. Bates (Maine), 540.5

21. CORTLAND, 530.25
22. Messiah (Pa.), 526.5
23. Babson (Mass.), 519.5
24. Trinity (Texas), 518
25. Washington & Lee (Va.), 508.25

Other New York schools in Top 100:

36. St. John Fisher, 416.5
40. New York University, 403
49. Rochester, 351.75
56. RPI, 328.75
59. Brockport, 319.5
60. St. Lawrence, 317
tie 63. Oneonta, 307
84. RIT, 241.5
86. Plattsburgh, 235.5
88. Skidmore, 234
89. Hobart/William Smith, 227.5

Complete standings are online at: www.nacda.com

2016-17 CORTLAND TEAMS PARTICIPATING IN NCAA DIVISION III POSTSEASON PLAY
(national finish in parentheses)

Men's Lacrosse (tied for 5th)
Men's Outdoor Track and Field (tied for 5th)
Wrestling (7th)
Men's Indoor Track and Field (9th)
Men's Soccer (tied for 9th)
Baseball (tied for 9th)
Softball (tied for 9th)
Women's Lacrosse (tied for 17th)

Individual qualifiers only:
Women's Cross Country
Men's Swimming and Diving
Women's Outdoor Track and Field


CORTLAND'S DIRECTORS' CUP FINISHES
 
2016-17: 21st
2015-16: 22nd

2014-15: 12th
2013-14: 23rd
2012-13: 11th
2011-12: 10th
2010-11: 16th

2009-10: 17th
2008-09: 5th
2007-08: 9th
2006-07: 3rd
2005-06: 5th

2004-05: 13th
2003-04: 8th
2002-03: 15th
2001-02: 12th
2000-01: 13th

1999-00: 17th
1998-99: 8th
1997-98: 2nd (tied)
1996-97: 8th
1995-96: 19th