AUSTIN, Texas -- The University of Texas finished fifth in the final 2007-08 United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup Division I standings, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) announced Thursday. NACDA, the U.S. Sports Academy and USA Today present the award annually to the best overall collegiate athletics program in the country.

Stanford University won the Cup with 1,461 points and was followed in the Top Five by UCLA (1,182), Michigan (1,154), Arizona State (1,146) and Texas (1,129.50). The Longhorns ranked as the top team in the Big 12 Conference.

The fifth-place finish marks the seventh consecutive season Texas has placed in the Top 10 in the all-sports standings. UT has now recorded a Top-10 finish 12 times in the 15-year history of the Directors' Cup: 2nd (2001-02, 2002-03 and 2004-05); 3rd (2005-06); 4th (1995-96); 5th (2007-08); 7th (1993-94 and 1996-97); 8th (2006-07); 9th (1999-2000); and 10th (1994-95 and 2003-04).

During the 2007-08 seasons, the Longhorns registered seven Top Five, ten Top 10 and 16 Top 20 NCAA Championship finishes.

"We are excited to produce another Top Five finish in the all-sports standings," said UT Men's Athletics Director DeLoss Dodds. "The credit goes to our quality student-athletes who perform at the highest levels and to our coaches who mentor our young people. Also, to achieve such outstanding results on a consistent basis is a tribute to the support of our fans and our university administration and regents."

Texas recorded Top Five NCAA performances in men's swimming and diving (second), men's tennis (second), men's indoor track and field (third), women's indoor track and field (fourth), men's outdoor track and field (fourth), women's volleyball (tied for fifth) and men's basketball (tied for fifth). The Horns added Top 10 finishes in women's soccer (tied for ninth), women's tennis (tied for ninth) and football (No. 10 in final AP and Coaches polls).

UT posted Top 20 finishes in women's swimming and diving (14th), men's cross country (17th), women's basketball (tied for 17th), women's golf (tied forth 17th), baseball (tied for 17th) and men's golf (19th). The Longhorns also received points in the Directors' Cup standings from softball (tied for 33rd) and women's outdoor track and field (tied for 46th).

"These results exemplify what a tremendous all-around program we have at Texas," said UT Women's Athletics Director Chris Plonsky. "It has been a rewarding year to watch all of our teams compete and place at such high levels, both on the national stage and in the Big 12 Conference. It is a testament to all the hard work by our student-athletes, their coaches and our staff."

In addition to its success on the national level, Texas claimed five Big 12 Conference titles (volleyball, men's swimming and diving, men's indoor track and field, men's basketball and men's tennis) and two Postseason Big 12 Championships (women's soccer and baseball).

TEXAS IN THE U.S. SPORTS ACADEMY DIRECTORS' CUP FINAL STANDINGS
(last seven years)
Year: Finish
2007-08: 5th
2006-07: 8th
2005-06: 3rd
2004-05: 2nd
2003-04: 10th
2002-03: 2nd
2001-02: 2nd