CCIW places five in top 75 of Academy Directors’ Cup

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – For the first time in conference history, the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) recently placed five member schools in the top 75 of the Sports Academy Directors’ Cup, awarded by the National Association of the Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

The Directors’ Cup measures the success of an institution’s total sports program by awarding points based on team and individual finishes during NCAA championships. NACDA ranks schools in all three NCAA divisions, as well as the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA).

Wheaton topped all CCIW schools with a No. 25 ranking (355.5 points), while North Central was second at 37 (298.5 points). Carthage placed fourth out of all CCIW schools with a No. 42 ranking (282.25), which was its highest finish ever. Illinois Wesleyan was 52nd (245.5), while Millikin placed 75th (199). Williams (MA) won the overall NCAA Division III title for the ninth time in the last 10 years.

CCIW Commissioner Chris Martin feels that member schools are accomplishing exactly what they are set out to do.

“The success shown by our member schools during the 2004-05 season showcases the overall strength of the CCIW,” Martin said. “One of the key pieces of our mission statement, and the Division III mission statement, is to develop broad-based athletics programs, and with the success of the past year, CCIW schools are fulfilling that mission.”

The CCIW’s previous best came during the 1999-00 academic year when four member schools finished in the top 75, including Wheaton (16), North Central (37), Illinois Wesleyan (42) and Millikin (53).