July 1, 2010

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M athletics program has recorded a record-setting year in the Division I Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings finishing in sixth place in the final rankings with a total of 1070.75 points.

The previous best finish by the Texas A&M program was 12th place in 2007-08 and the high-point total was 1031 points the same year.

"I am very proud of our student-athletes, coaches and staff for accomplishing this Top 10 finish in the Learfield Directors' Cup," Texas A&M Director of Athletics Bill Byrne said. "Do not discount the impact the 12th Man has had on our success as well. With the great support we receive, our teams are given an extra boost by our fans."

Byrne was hired in December of 2002. Prior to his arrival, the Aggies highest finish in the Directors' Cup was 20th in 1995-96 when Texas A&M finished with 524.50 points. Byrne's first full year was 2003-04 and the top five finishes for Texas A&M have come with Byrne at the helm of the department.

"We are fortunate to be at a school such as Texas A&M that is a Top 10 institution in so many categories and I am happy our athletics department can be counted among the best in the country," Byrne stated. "Our motto has remained Building Champions and we continue to strive to get better each and every day, in athletics, academics and being a better overall person. I believe there is room for improvement in each of our sports, as well as personal development for us all."

The latest standings included results from baseball where the Aggies reached the regional championship game in Miami and gained 50 points.

With the repeat national championship performances by the men's and women's outdoor track and field teams, the Aggies scored 517.25 points in the spring. The winter sports compiled 400.50 points and the fall sports claimed 153 points.

The Learfield Directors' Cup takes into consideration the top 10 female sports and the top 10 male sports at each institution. In Texas A&M's case, the school sponsors 20 intercollegiate sports, 11 female and nine male. Women's equestrian is not an NCAA-sponsored sport at this time, and the Texas A&M squad won the western national championship and finished second overall at the Varsity Equestrian National Championships this past spring.
           
Of the remaining 19 sports, A&M finished in the Top 20 in 15 of the sports and eight Aggie teams finished in the Top 10.

Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Standings
(As of July 1, 2010)

TOP 25                                Big 12 Order
1.  Stanford          1508.50         6.   TEXAS A&M     1070.75
2.  Florida           1310.25         12.  Oklahoma      921.25
3.  Virginia          1253.25         15.  Texas         858.25
4.  UCLA              1124.00         17.  Nebraska      830.75
5.  Florida State     1087.50         31.  Baylor        633.00
6.  TEXAS A&M         1070.75         33.  Oklahoma St.  618.75
7.  North Carolina    1029.30         34.  Iowa St.      618.50
8.  Ohio State        1015.50         44.  Texas Tech    551.25
9.  California        1013.50         49.  Missouri      454.00
10. Duke              982.75          69.  Colorado      282.00
11. Penn State        971.30          73.  Kansas        236.50
12. Oklahoma          921.25          123. Kansas St.    134.00
13. USC               906.50
14. Oregon            878.50
15. Texas             858.25
16. Tennessee         856.50
17. Nebraska          830.75
18. Minnesota         824.25
19. LSU               824.00
20. Georgia           822.80
21. Wisconsin         811.00
22. Arizona State     792.25
23. Alabama           780.00
24. Washington        770.75
25. Michigan          768.50

TEXAS A&M IN THE FINAL DIRECTORS' CUP STANDINGS:
2009-10    6th     1070.75
2008-09    13th    976.00
2007-08    12th    1031.00
2006-07    18th    881.00
2005-06    23rd    649.50
2004-05    26th    566.25
2003-04    16th    714.00
2002-03    28th    551.25
2001-02    37th    519.50
2000-01    26th    517.00
1999-00    27th    522.00
1998-99    T39th   230.00
1997-98    T38th   230.00
1996-97    30th    427.00
1995-96    20th    524.50
1994-95    37th    329.50
1993-94    24th    454.50

2009-10 TEXAS A&M SPORT BREAKDOWN

Sport                           Place     Points
Spring
Women's Track & Field           1st       100
Men's Track & Field             1st       100
Men's Tennis                    9th       64
Women's Golf                    11th      65.25  
Men's Golf                      13th      63
Baseball                        17th      50
Softball                        17th      50                   
Women's Tennis                  33rd      25                             

Winter
Men's Indoor Track & Field      2nd       87.5
Women's Indoor Track & Field    5th       75
Women's Swimming & Diving       6th       73.5
Men's Swimming & Diving         12th      64.5
Women's Basketball              17th      50
Men's Basketball                17th      50

Fall
Women's Soccer                  9th       64
Women's Volleyball              9th       64
Football                        44th      25
Women's Cross Country           NR        0
Men's Cross Country             NR        0