NEW ORLEANS — Xavier University of Louisiana
scored a school-record 341.5 points and finished 43rd in the NAIA Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings of 2018-19,
the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced Thursday.
XULA was No. 1 in the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference and No. 1 among historically black
colleges and universities (HBCUs).
It's XULA's second-highest finish ever in the national standings.
The best was 42nd in 2013-14. The previous school record for points was 305 in 2013-14.
"Congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches and staff
for their dedication and hard work in producing this national ranking,"
said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs / Director of Athletics & Recreation
Jason Horn.
"We take great pride in our achievements, and we look forward to moving up in the
standings in 2019-20."
The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed by NACDA and USA Today newspaper. Points are awarded
based on each institution's finish in up to 13 sports.
This is the 24th year of the NAIA all-sports standings.
XULA produced its record point total after a second-place
finish in men's tennis, a tie for third in women's tennis, a tie for 17th in women's basketball,
23rd in women's outdoor track and field, 33rd in women's volleyball, 36th in men's cross country and
36th in women's cross country. Seven of XULA's nine teams scored nationally.
Five other GCAC members were ranked. SUNO was 47th with 302.25 points,
Talladega was 120th with 115.5 points, Edward Waters was 156th with 50.50 points,
Dillard tied for 170th with 34 points, and Tougaloo tied for 175th with 25 points.
XULA, SUNO and Talladega were the top three HBCUs, followed by Wiley (Red River Athletic Conference) in a tie for 138th with 78 points.
It's the first time in 15 years that the GCAC has two schools in the final top 50.
The top three NAIA schools were Oklahoma City with 921.25 points, William Carey
with 806 and Lindsey Wilson with 782.50. Oklahoma City was the NAIA leader for the third consecutive year.
|
XULA in NAIA all-sports standings |
| 2018-19 | 43rd |
| 2017-18 | 58th |
| 2016-17 | 71st |
| 2015-16 | 70th |
| 2014-15 | 50th |
| 2013-14 | 42nd |
| 2012-13 | 56th |
| 2011-12 | 50th |
| 2010-11 | 102nd |
| 2009-10 | 83rd |
| 2008-09 | tie-92nd |
| 2007-08 | 141st |
| 2006-07 | 156th |
| 2005-06 | no teams (Hurricane Katrina) |
| 2004-05 | not in top 100 |
| 2003-04 | 86th |
| 2002-03 | tie-163rd |
| 2001-02 | tie-238th |
| 2000-01 | tie-199th |
| 1999-2000 | not in top 234 |
| 1998-99 | tie-210th |
| 1997-98 | tie-194th |
| 1996-97 | 164th |
| 1995-96 | 146th |
