May 1, 2008

BERKELEY, Calif. - After holding the top spot through the fall sports seasons, California is in fifth place after the conclusion of the winter sports in the latest U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup standings announced Thursday.

The Golden Bears have accumulated 702 points, which is only slightly behind fourth-place Ohio State (703.75). Stanford is in first place with 1082 points, Michigan is second with 782 points, and Penn State is third with 762.

The Directors' Cup, which was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today, measures the best overall collegiate athletics programs in the country and awards points based on final national standings in a maximum of 10 NCAA-sponsored sports for both men and women.

Cal earned 80 points for a fourth-place finish in men's swimming and diving and 75 points for a fifth-place showing in women's swimming and diving. The Bears also garnered 73 points for fifth place in men's gymnastics.

In addition, Cal's women's basketball team contributed 50 points by advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, women's indoor track and field team posted 38 points and men's indoor track and field added 16 points.

Last year, Cal led the nation after the full fall results were compiled and finished ninth in the final standings released in the spring. The Bears have placed in the top 10 four of the last five years, including a program-best seventh in 2006.

Complete standings and the scoring structure can be found on NACDA's Web site at nacda.com.

U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup Standings
as of May 1, 2008

School             Points
1. Stanford        1082
2. Michigan        782
3. Penn State      762
4. Ohio State      703.75
5. California      702
6. Texas           684
7. West Virginia   630.5
8. Wisconsin       628.5
9. Arizona State   612
10. Florida        607.75