Dec. 20, 2007

AMHERST, Mass. - The UMass athletic department has experienced tremendous success in the fall of 2007. In the latest edition of the U.S. Sports Academy Directors Cup Standings, UMass is 19th overall in Division I. With 168 overall points, UMass is just behind the likes of Notre Dame, Florida, North Carolina, Michigan and Texas.

The men's soccer team picked up 83 points for its run to the National Semifinals. The football team garnered 60 points for an NCAA Quarterfinal appearance and the field hockey team picked up 25 points for making the NCAA first round.

This is the third edition of the standings in 2007-08 and includes eight sports: men's and women's cross country, field hockey, FCS football, men's and women's soccer, volleyball and water polo.

California leads the way with 325 points after capturing the water polo championship. Stanford is second with 315 points including the women's cross country championship.

Here are the top 25 standings:

2007-08 U.S. Sports Academy Directors Cup Standings
1. California 325
2. Stanford 315
3. Oregon 254
3. Penn State 254
5. Southern California 253
6. Wake Forest 233
7. Connecticut 229
8. Florida State 209
9. UCLA 206
10. West Virginia 200
11. Duke 199
12. Virginia 193
13. Michigan State 189
14. Notre Dame 188
15. Florida 185
16. North Carolina 184
17. Michigan 182
18. Texas 177
19. MASSACHUSETTS 168
20. Washington 166
21. Louisville 163
22. Wisconsin 159
23. BYU 152
24. Iowa 149
24. Northern Arizona 149