Jan. 9, 2001

Columbia, Mo. -- Buoyed by the presence of three teams in the NCAA postseason, the University of Missouri ranks 44th in the NCAA Division I fall standings for the 2000-01 Sears Directors' Cup. The Tigers, who competed in the NCAA Championships for volleyball, men's cross country and women's cross country, recorded 83 points. The 44th-place finish is the best in the school's history in the fall standings.

"We have high expectations for our programs and this start is a good one," said MU director of athletics Mike Alden. "We have shown progress each year improving in the standings and we hope this success will carry over to the winter and spring standings."

MU finished 50th in the final standings for the 1993-94 season -- the first season for the Sears Directors' Cup -- and ranked 52nd last season. Missouri was 54th after the fall standings for the 1999-2000 season. This season's ranking marks the fourth straight season the Tigers have ranked in the nation's top 55 in the fall standings.

The following sports are included for the Sears Directors' Cup fall standings: women's and men's cross country, field hockey, I-A and I-AA football, women's and men's soccer, women's volleyball and water polo. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 20 sports -- 10 for women and 10 for men. Each national champion receives 100 points.