Nov. 29, 2007

NOTRE DAME, Ind. – The University of Notre Dame stands 46th in the first set of fall sports standings released in the 2007-08 United States Sports Academy Division I Directors’ Cup all-sports competition sponsored by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (formerly known as Sears Directors’ Cup).

Fall NCAA competition so far has earned the Irish 32 points based on their 21st-place finish in men’s cross country. Yet to come are fall points for Notre Dame’s NCAA appearance in women’s soccer (the Irish play in a national quarterfinal Friday night versus Duke) and its NCAA play in men’s soccer (the Irish play a third-round game Saturday at Santa Clara).

The second set of fall standings will be released Dec. 13, a third set of fall standings will be released Dec. 20 and the final fall standings will be available Jan. 10.

Oregon (190 points) leads the competition, thanks to its ’07 NCAA title in men’s cross country and a runnerup finish in women’s cross country. Second is Stanford (’07 NCAA women’s cross country champion) with 161 points, followed by Northern Arizona (149), Minnesota (120) and North Carolina (’07 NCAA field hockey champion), also with 120.

The current standings include results from NCAA fall competition in field hockey, and men’s and women’s cross country.

In previous years in which the Directors’ Cup competition has been held, Notre Dame has finished 11th in 1993-94, 30th in 1994-95, 11th in 1995-96, 14th in 1996-97, tied for 31st in 1997-98, 25th in 1998-99, 21st in 1999-2000, 11th in 2000-01, 13th in 2001-02, tied for 13th in 2002-03, 19th in 2003-04, 16th in 2004-05, a best-ever sixth in 2005-06 and 22nd in 2006-07.

Here are the current standings:
1.Oregon 190, 2.Stanford 161, 3.Northern Arizona 149, 4.(tie)Minnesota and North Carolina 120, 6.Florida State 119, 7.Michigan 118, 8.Wisconsin 109, 9.Arizona State 102, 10.Michigan State 100; 46.Notre Dame 32.