VCU FINISHES PROGRAM-BEST IN NACDA STANDINGS
Rams tabbed 85th nationally, third in the state, and first in the conference.
06-30-06
NACDA Standings

RICHMOND, Va. – After another successful year, including four NCAA team appearances and four Colonial Athletic Championships, Virginia Commonwealth University has finished 85th nationally among Division I schools in the final U.S. Sports Academy Directors’ Cup rankings, the Rams best finish in the standings since the 1997-98 season.  VCU also ranked fourth among NCAA Division I-AAA schools, third among schools in the Commonwealth, and first among its CAA counterparts.

“This is a testament as to how much VCU athletics is changing and growing,” explained VCU Director of Athletics Dr. Richard L. Sander.  “Our coaches and student-athletes have done a tremendous job of competing on a national level and have brought the institution a lot of national recognition.  I am very proud of our athletic programs and I know they will only continue to strive for excellence.”

VCU’s 16 intercollegiate athletic teams compiled 189 points this past year, marking the program’s highest point total since the current system was established in 1999-00.  The Rams’ volleyball, women’s soccer, women’s tennis, and men’s tennis squads all made trips to their respective NCAA Tournaments this year, earning points for VCU in the standings.  VCU and George Mason were the only two schools in the CAA listed among the 100 teams in the cup.

The National Association of Collegiate Directors’ of America (NACDA) presents the award annually to the best overall collegiate athletics programs in the country.  For the 12th-straight year Stanford captured the cup with its 1197.375 total points.  UCLA (1071.375) and Texas (966) rounded out the top three, respectively.

Developed as a joint effort between USA Today and NACDA, the United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup program is the only all-sports competition that recognizes the institution in each of the four categories with the best overall athletics program.

VIRGINIA SCHOOLS
26. Virginia
45. Virginia Tech
85. VCU
95. Richmond
98. George Mason