Five CCIW Schools Make Top 60 of Academy’s Directors’ Cup

NAPERVILLE, Ill. – The 2005-06 season was a banner year for the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) in the United States Sports Academy Directors Cup results coordinated by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

For the first time in the 11-year history of the Division III Directors Cup, five CCIW member institutions finished among the top 60. Wheaton College finished tops among CCIW schools in 23rd place overall, followed by North Central in 38th, Illinois Wesleyan 42nd, Augustana 44th and Carthage 57th. The previous best finish for CCIW members was when five schools finished among the top 75 Division III institutions in 2004-05.

“CCIW institutions continue to fulfill the mission of NCAA Division III and that’s to develop broad-based athletics programs,” CCIW commissioner Chris Martin said. “I’m fully confident that each of our member institutions will continue their outstanding work in 2006-07 and many more years to come.”

Each institution is awarded points in a pre-determined number of sports for men and women. Prior to 2004-05, final standings included all institutions that received points. In 2004-05 and 2005-06, the final standings only included the top 100 in Division III. For 2006-07, final standings will revert to the pre 2004-05 results.

There are 18 sports, nine men’s and nine women’s, considered for this award in Division III including men’s & women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s & women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, men’s & women’s basketball, men’s & women’s swimming, men’s & women’s indoor track and field, wrestling, baseball, men’s & women’s golf, men’s & women’s lacrosse, women’s rowing, softball, men’s & women’s tennis and men’s & women’s outdoor track and field.

The overall champion is the institution that records the highest number of points in their division’s Directors’ Cup standings. Williams (MA) has won the last 10 Division III titles. The scoring formula uses a formula of team and individual scoring with selected sports only counting as 50 percent.