GENERAL: Ferris State University Places 32nd in Directors' Cup Standings

BIG RAPIDS - Ferris State University has worked to rank among the better NCAA Division II programs in the nation.

For a lot of people, the measure of the all-around success of your athletics department is best calculated through the Directors' Cup standings.

This year, the Ferris Athletics Department's programs ranked 32nd in the nation with 391.25 points in the 2008-09 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Division II final standings.

"This a tremendous accomplishment for our entire athletics staff to finish among the nation's top 35 programs," Ferris Athletics Director Tom Kirinovic said. "Combining this with our academic success should make all Ferris State supporters proud of the balance that we provide both academically and athletically.

"I congratulate our athletics department staff in finding a way to both maximize the resources we have available in recruiting top-notch student-athletes along with using their coaching expertise to make these honors possible," he added.

Next year, you can imagine the Bulldogs will strive to climb up the ladder to rank even higher among the nation's premier all-around NCAA Division II programs.

Grand Valley State University, Ferris' long-time rival, has won the Directors' Cup six straight seasons.

Here are Ferris' finishes in the Directors' Cup standings:

Year - Place - Points
1995-96 - 68thT - 98.0
1996-97 - 64thT - 8.5
1997-98 - 34thT - 140.0
1998-99 - 45thT - 110.0
1999-00 - 53rd - 180.0
2000-01 - 37th - 265.5
2001-02 - 36thT - 259.5
2002-03 - 37th - 317.5
2003-04 - 45th - 285.0
2004-05 - 21st - 387.5
2005-06 - 35th - 316.0
2006-07 - 28th - 414.5
2007-08 - 60thT - 282.0

For the complete story, visit the Ferris State University Athletics Web site: http://www.ferris.edu/sports/general/09directorscup.htm