Ithaca Claims 10th in Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings for Second Straight Year

05/31/18

For the second consecutive year, Ithaca College has finished within the top 10 of the final Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings. Ithaca repeats as the No. 10 institution in the nation across 450 NCAA Division III schools with 760.5 points. Directors' Cup points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 18 sports in NCAA postseason competition, measured by nine women's sports and nine men's sports. It is also the 18th time since the inception of the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup that Ithaca has finished within the top 20, and sixth time within the top 10.

“Ithaca College’s back-to-back top 10 finish in the Learfield Directors’ Cup is a testament to our sustained commitment to excellence in athletics competition,” said Associate Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Recreational Sports Susan Bassett ’79. 

“What is remarkable about this year’s performance is that several different programs contributed to our high standings. We have a broad-based program committed to both sport equity and gender equity, as reflected in these results.”

The Bombers were 29th across DIII after the completion of the fall season and vaulted up to 16th after the winter. Another superb spring season for IC elevated the program to No. 10 to secure the school’s best back-to-back finishes since Ithaca placed second in 2001-02 and ninth in 2002-03.

Ithaca scored 42.5 more points from a year ago as the 2016-17 sports season accumulated 716 points.

IC is just one of six Division III schools to finish within the top 30 every year since the Directors' Cup started in 1995-96. The other institutions are Amherst, Calvin, Emory, Middlebury and Williams. Cortland had placed within the top 30 each year since 1995-96, but finished 54th this year.

In the spring, IC posted 338.5 points as five sports competed in NCAA postseason play. Softball accumulated the most points for Ithaca during the spring with 83 points, as the Bombers finished third in the College World Series in Oklahoma City. Women’s crew was right behind softball with 80 points from a fourth place showing in Sarasota, Fla. Men’s lacrosse notched 64 points after its trip to the third round, while the 14th place finish for women’s outdoor track & field equated to 61.5 points. Baseball rounded out the spring with 50 points as the program finished fourth in the Mideast Regional in Adrian, Mich.

At the conclusion of the winter season, Ithaca acquired 270 points across four sports. Wrestling finished third at the national championships in Cleveland to pick up 85 points, while women’s indoor track & field earned 72 points from a seventh place finish in Birmingham, Ala. Women’s swimming & diving earned 63 points behind a 12th place showing in Indianapolis. Women’s basketball made another trip to the second round of their NCAA championship to notch 50 points.

In the fall, women’s volleyball reached the Final Four in Grand Rapids, Mich. to tally 83 points, while women’s cross country finished ninth at the national race in Elsah, Ill. for 69 points.

Within the Liberty League, Ithaca was more than 400 points ahead of the next closest conference rival, which was RPI in 50th overall with 350.75 points.

Not only did Ithaca perform well athletically, its student-athletes were equally impressive in the classroom as 64 student-athletes graduated with Latin praise (3.5 GPA or higher) this year.

“IC Athletics is equally committed to academic excellence with our 800 student-athletes earning a GPA of 3.3, while 66 individuals earned a 4.0 GPA and 252 achieved a 3.75 GPA or higher. Bombers live the scholar-athlete ideal and understand that athletics success and academic excellence are compatible endeavors,” said Bassett.

“Ithaca College supports intercollegiate athletics as an integral educational endeavor and it is in this wonderful context that our student-athletes thrive. Bombers are engaged in community service and every facet of campus life,” Bassett concluded.

The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. For more information on the program and complete standings across all divisions, visit www.directorscup.org.

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