CLEVELAND – Once again, Chico State Athletics ranks among the elite in Division II college sports. On the heels of an extremely successful 2012-13 season, the Wildcats posted their 12th straight top 35 showing in the annual Learfield Sports Directors' Cup competition, finishing 31st among 255 D-II schools from around the country.
With eight of Chico State's 13 NCAA-sanctioned programs qualifying for national championship competition, the Wildcats racked up 408.5 points to earn their No. 31 ranking and finish among the top 15 percent of all Division II schools.
Fall sports action was highlighted by the men's and women's cross country teams, each using national top five rankings to contribute a combined 150 points. During the winter, the Wildcats' men's and women's basketball teams added to Chico State's Directors' Cup point total with NCAA Championship Tournament bids.
Four Chico State programs competed for national crowns in the spring. The Wildcat baseball team reached the finals of the NCAA West Regional, while the men's golf team used a strong 2012-13 campaign to earn an invitation to the NCAA West/South Central Super Regional. On the strength of four All-America performances at the NCAA Championships in Pueblo, Colo., the Chico State men's and women's track & field teams provided a combined 97.5 points to the 'Cats' final 2012-13 total.
Grand Canyon University topped the Learfield Directors' Cup standings for the second year in a row, totaling 954.75 points to edge runner-up Grand Valley State (Mich.).
The Directors' Cup, established in 1993 and awarded to Division II schools beginning in 1995, honors institutions maintaining a broad-based athletics program and achieving success in both men's and women's sports. Since joining the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) in 1998-99, Chico State has ranked among the nation's top D-II schools nearly every year, amassing a total of 13 top 35 finishes, including four top 10 rankings since 2003-04.
Each institution is awarded points in a maximum 14 men's and women's sports. The school that records the highest number of points is declared the Directors' Cup champion and receives a crystal trophy.
