The Atlantic Coast Conference is well represented in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Final Fall Standings released today with four ACC schools in the top 10, twice as many as any other conference. In addition, the ACC is one of two leagues with two schools in the top five, and also placed 10 in the top 61.
“These standings are a terrific snapshot of our quality student-athletes and athletic programs,” said ACC Commissioner John Swofford. “As we begin 2012, we look forward to our winter and spring seasons and building on the momentum from the fall.”
Florida State leads the way for the conference in second place with 351 points. The Seminoles had three top five finishes in women’s cross country, women’s soccer and volleyball. They also finished 12th in men’s cross country.
North Carolina is just behind Florida State with 329 points. The Tar Heels had an impressive fall campaign, including a national championship in men’s soccer as well as a second-place finish for field hockey. North Carolina also finished ninth in women’s soccer.
Maryland sits in eighth place with 228 points. The Terrapins captured their second straight field hockey NCAA title and finished ninth in both men’s and women’s soccer.
Duke rounds out the ACC’s presence in the top 10 in ninth place. The Blue Devils advanced to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship Game and finished fifth in field hockey.
Rounding out the ACC’s presence in the top 30 are Boston College in 21st, Wake Forest in 26th and Virginia in 27th. NC State and Virginia Tech recorded top 50 finishes in 38th and 46th, respectively, and Miami finished in 61st.
About the Atlantic Coast Conference: Now in its 59th year of competition, the ACC has long enjoyed the reputation as one of the strongest and most competitive intercollegiate conferences in the nation. Since the league’s inception in 1953, ACC schools have captured 124 national championships, including 66 in women’s competition and 58 in men’s. In addition, NCAA individual titles have gone to ACC student-athletes 140 times in men’s competition and 99 times in women’s action.
About Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup: The 2011-12 athletics season marks its fourth year as title partner of the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup. A preeminent leader in the collegiate sports marketplace for nearly four decades, Learfield Sports manages the multimedia rights for more than 50 collegiate properties, which it has represented since 1975. An operating unit of Learfield Communications, the company also operates regional and statewide radio networks, provides exclusive sports programming to more than 1,000 radio stations nationwide and creates nearly 7,000 radio game broadcasts and coaches’ shows each year. These ever-expanding, collegiate relationships also feature comprehensive corporate sponsorship platforms, official university publications, Internet, digital media, hospitality and game-day events. To learn more about Learfield Sports’ expertise, its history and complete collegiate portfolio, visit www.learfieldsports.com.