CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Grand Valley State extended its lead atop the 2015-16 Division II Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings following the completion of the winer sports season. The Lakers are looking to capture their 11th Division II Learfield Sports Directors' Cup and third consecutive title. The GLIAC leads the country with four teams inside the top 25, seven inside the top 50 including nine inside the top 60.
GVSU completed the winter season with 387 total points, scoring in five winter sports and currently hold a 276.75-point advantage over Alaska Anchorage (488.25) in second, while Colorado School of Mines sits in third with a 441 point total.
The Lakers registered six top five finishes in women's swimming and diving and men's and women's indoor track and field. GVSU also recorded a seventh-place showing in men's swimming and diving before finishing with an Elite Eight apperance in women's basketball making it all the way to the semifinals.
Ashland (16) and Saginaw Valley (17) give the GLIAC three squads inside the top 20, while Findlay sits just a few positions behind at No. 23. Hillsdale ranks 33rd with Northern Michigan (43) and Tiffin (47) to bring the conference total to seven institutions placing inside the top 50. Overall, 15 league schools are earning points inside the Learfield Directors' Cup Standings after the conclusion of the winter sports campaign.
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.
2016 Division II Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Fall Standings: Overall | By Conference
| Rank | School | Points |
| 1 | Grand Valley State | 765.00 |
| 16 | Ashland | 308.00 |
| 17 | Saginaw Valley | 304.50 |
| 23 | Findlay | 282.50 |
| 33 | Hillsdale | 235.00 |
| 43 | Northern Michigan | 216.00 |
| 47 | Tiffin | 196.00 |
| 55 | Wayne State | 182.00 |
| 56 | Ferris State | 181.00 |
| 131 | Walsh | 90.50 |
| 160 | Northwood | 64.00 |
| 174 | Malone | 52.00 |
| 194 | Lake Erie | 45.00 |
| 194 | Lake Superior State | 45.00 |
| 199 | Michigan Tech | 40.00 |
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 2015-16 athletic season marks the company’s eighth consecutive year to title the prestigious Learfield Sports Directors' Cup. For more about its history and complete collegiate portfolio, visit www.learfieldsports.com.