UVA places eighth in final Directors’ Cup standings

The Virginia Cavaliers finished eighth in the final 2018-19 Division I Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup Standings, announced earlier today by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. The result, which is based on the outcomes of 19 different sports, is the sixth time in the last decade that UVA has landed in the top-10 and is tied for the program’s best finish since 2015. With another finish in the top-10, Virginia is one of 12 programs that has been in the top-30 every year that the standings have been announced (1994 to present).

In addition to the unforgettable pair of championship runs by men’s basketball and men’s lacrosse, several other teams posted solid seasons, namely men’s tennis and women’s lacrosse, which each advanced to the NCAA Elite Eight, and women’s swimming and diving, which placed sixth at the NCAA Championships. Highlights from individual competitions include wrestler Jack Muller, who became the national runner-up in the 125-pound weight class, and track stars Jordan Scott and Kelly McKee, who each recorded top five finishes in the triple jump, with Scott capturing the indoor national title in the event.

For second-year athletic director Carla Williams, it was another step in the right direction. “Our top-ten finish in the Directors’ Cup reflects the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” she said.

Virginia finished second among ACC schools with Florida State coming in one spot ahead of the Hoos at No. 7. Duke and North Carolina finished No. 9 and No. 10, respectively, giving the conference four teams in the top-10. Notre Dame at No. 17 was the only other ACC school in the top-20. Pittsburgh finished last out of the ACC schools at No. 137.

With this year’s edition of UVA athletics coming to a close, Williams, along with the rest of us, now look forward to the fall, waiting to see if the Wahoos can keep their momentum going in 2019-20.