Dec. 22, 2011

2011 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup - Fall Standings (Version 3)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The University of Louisville jumped to No. 9 in the third and latest release of the Division I Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Standings, which ranks institutions maintaining a broad-based program, achieving success in men's and women's sports, the Ohio-based organization announced Thursday.

With six of the seven NCAA fall championships decided, the Cardinals own 187 points. Louisville's latest push in the standings came on the heels of 50 points from the women's volleyball team, which advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The Cardinals also will earn points from the football team competing in a bowl game - the Belk Bowl against NC State on Dec. 27 in Charlotte, N.C. - and could earn additional points based on the final ESPN/USA Today Coaches' Poll.

Louisville is the only BIG EAST school ranked in the top 10 and is just one of five to stand in the top 25. The Cardinals have the ability to move even higher in the rankings, as Maryland (No. 6) and Duke (No. 7) will not be participating in bowl games this year.

In the last release of the poll, Louisville stood at No. 17 after earning points from men's soccer, which reached the Elite Eight, and women's soccer, which made a run to the Sweet 16.

The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today in 1993-94. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 20 sports - 10 men's and 10 women's.

The final fall Division I standings will be released on Jan. 12.