CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Grand Valley State captured its 10th Division II Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup and successfully defended their 2013-14 title. Grand Valley State will be honored at the 2015 NACDA Convention during the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, June 16. GVSU claimed top honors in the standings for the 10th time in the last 12 years.
The Lakers finished with 965.50 total points, scoring in 16 sports total (7 men’s and 9 women’s). The Lakers had two women’s scores omitted due to the seven maximum allowed for both women’s and men’s sports – women’s tennis and softball. Their point total is highlighted by national championships in women’s cross country and women’s soccer.
"This is an accomplishment that really reflects on the quality of the student-athletes, coaches and support staff we have at Grand Valley State," said athletic director, Tim Selgo. "Not only did our student-athletes perform well competitively, 68 percent of them achieved a 3.0 GPA or better during this past semester. I am so proud of how our teams competed throughout the year, while also achieving at a high level in the classroom," added Selgo.
Ashland finishes the year in second place, improving from a fifth place overall finish in the 2013-14 year. They had 720 total points scoring in 11 sports, highlighted by two third place finishes in women’s indoor track & field and men’s outdoor track & field. The Eagles concluded their spring scoring seventh in women’s outdoor track & field and 33rd in softball.
Ashland has finished in the Top 10 of the Directors' Cup standings in each of the last eight academic years, in the Top 5 each of the last four and in the Top 3 in three of the last four. Ashland also finishes the academic year as the top-rated Division II private institution in the Directors' Cup.
"I'm incredibly proud of our coaches, staff and student-athletes," said Al King, Ashland Director of Athletics. "Not just for this record-setting year, but for the level of consistency they've maintained over the last eight years in making this a highly successful broad-based program that annually ranks among the best in the nation. Their commitment to excellence is astounding.
The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 14 sports -- seven women’s and seven men’s.
Complete 2014-15 Division II Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Standings
| Rank | School | Points |
| 1 | Grand Valley State | 965.50 |
| 2 | Ashland | 720.00 |
| 28 | Findlay | 458.50 |
| 33 | Wayne State | 421.00 |
| 39 | Hillsdale | 382.75 |
| 45 | Tiffin | 354.50 |
| 81 | Ferris State | 236.50 |
| 84 | Saginaw Valley State | 231.50 |
| 94 | Lake Erie | 212.50 |
| 96 | Northwood | 207.00 |
| 108 | Michigan Tech | 192.00 |
| 134 | Lake Superior State | 156.25 |
| 141 | Malone | 140.00 |
| 157 | Northern Michigan | 122.00 |
| 181 | Ohio Dominican | 95.00 |
| 252 | Walsh | 5.00 |
Complete standings and the scoring structure can be found on NACDA’s website at www.directorscup.org. In addition, please visit www.thedirectorscup.com, like us on Facebook at facebook.com/lsdirectorscup or follow us on Twitter @lsdirectorscup.
About Learfield Sports: Since 1972, Learfield has developed trusted, long-term relationships with some of the most revered institutions and associations in the world of collegiate athletics. Learfield Sports currently manages the exclusive multimedia rights to nearly 100 collegiate properties in the country and has prominence in all of the major conferences. Additionally, Learfield Sports offers its university partners with licensing and trademark consulting, web solutions, concessions and hospitality services, and professional ticket sales. The 2014-15 athletic season marks the company’s seventh consecutive year to title the prestigious Learfield Sports Directors' Cup. For more about its history and complete collegiate portfolio, visit www.learfieldsports.com.