MSSU places 64th in Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings

(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)

 The Missouri Southern athletics department finished 64th in the final Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings released by the National Association of College Directors of Athletics (NACDA) today. 

The Cup awards points based on NCAA post season success. The Lions saw post season appearances by both the men's and women's indoor and outdoor track and field teams, while the men's cross country team and an individual from the women's team saw action. 

The men's cross country team finished 19th nationally, while the indoor track and field team placed 19th, as well at the national meet. The men placed 29th at this year's outdoor meet. 

The women's indoor track and field team placed 29th at the national meet, while the team placed 35th at the outdoor meet. 

The men's basketball team won the 2013-14 MIAA Tournament title and earned a bid to the NCAA tournament for the third time in the last four years, falling to eventual National Champion, Central Missouri, in the round of 32. 

Overall this year, the Lions had 140 named to the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, including seven named Academic All-MIAA and nine earn MIAA Presidential Scholar Awards. The school had 77 All-MIAA athletes, 28 All-Region selections and nine All-Americans, while five were named Academic All-American. Men's basketball coach Robert Corn was named MIAA Men's Basketball Coach of the Year after his 25th and final season leading the Lions. 

The Lions were seventh among MIAA schools in the standings as Central Missouri was the top school, placing third. Lindenwood was 23rd, followed by Nebraska-Kearney (33), Southwest Baptist, (37), Emporia State (54), Lincoln (58), Southern (64), Pittsburg State (66), Northwest Missouri (69) and Central Oklahoma (70) to round out the MIAA schools in the top 100. 

Southern was 11th best in the Central Region as the MIAA had seven of the top 11 programs in the region. The complete standings for MIAA schools are listed below. 

MIAA in the Director’s Cup
3. Central Missouri         653.75
23. Lindenwood              472.00
33. Nebraska-Kearney   425.25
37. Southwest Baptist    398.75
54. Emporia State          326.50
58. Lincoln                     313.25
64. Missouri Southern    283.5066. Pittsburg State         282.00
69. Northwest Missouri  265.00
70. Central Oklahoma    263.75
106. Fort Hays State      192.00
157. Northeastern State 120.50
228. Missouri Western      25.00
228. Washburn                  25.00