MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – The final standings for the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup, presented by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of America (NACDA), recently released the Division III institutional rankings, with Morrisville State College making their sixth straight appearance.
Morrisville State earned 125 points to rank 153rd among 324 institutions in the final standings, receiving points from making appearances in the NCAA championship tournament. Over the course of 2016-17, the Mustangs had four teams qualify for the NCAA tournament, two of which were awarded bids for the third straight year.
"I'd be dishonest if I said I wasn't surprised by Morrisville State's position in the 2017 Learfield Cup final standings," Athletic Director Greg Carroll stated. "At the same time I'm thrilled to see the progress we've made since becoming a member of the NCAA in 2006."
"Each year as an entire department we talk about what it will take to be better and then we talk about putting those strategies into practice," he continued. "Our climb in the rankings would not have been possible without two things. If athletic success were not important to the administration here we would not be having the kind of success we have been enjoying."
In the fall, men's soccer made the NCAA tournament field for a third consecutive year. Men's basketball made the program's fourth overall appearance in the opening round, followed by women's lacrosse who for a second time in program history earned a bid.
Men's lacrosse advanced for a third straight year as well.
This is the first time the athletics department has finished with 125 points in the Directors' Cup standings, and the highest rank the department has received.
"I cannot thank President Rogers enough for the leadership he has provided and his commitment to athletic accomplishment," Carroll said.
"We also have the benefit of some deeply committed and talented coaches. Our belief is that competitive success is the product of success in many other areas including academic success, recruiting, community service, positive team culture, and sportsmanship."
"When we are striving for excellence in all those areas, winning is going to result."
Morrisville State was the highest of four ranked teams from the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), followed by Penn St. Berks who finished 163rd overall with 114 points. SUNY Polytechnic was 241st with 50 overall points, while Gallaudet University finished tied for 289th with 25 points.
The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup, in conjunction with NACDA and USA Today, awards points based on each institution's finish in up to 18 men's and women's sports across the Division. Williams College claimed the overall title for a 20th time with 1335.25 points. Complete standings can be found here.
Morrisville State College's curricula are enriched with applied learning and pave the way for opportunity at both the Morrisville and Norwich campuses. An action-oriented, interactive learning lab, the college is a national leader in technology and has been lauded for its exemplary, innovative and effective community service programs.
The college was ranked among the Best Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges 2016 issue and was also recognized in the Top Public Schools, Regional Colleges North in the 2016 Best Colleges rankings. For more information about Morrisville State College, visit www.morrisville.edu.
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