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The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup is awarded to the nation's top overall athletic program each year.
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Jan. 12, 2012
Division I Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Standings as of 1/12/12 
| Directors' Cup Website
CLEVELAND, Ohio - The University of Illinois ranks 16th overall in the 2011-12 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings following the completion of all fall sports schedules. Illinois received 185.00 points as a result of overall success in fall sports competition, highlighted by an NCAA runner-up finish in women's volleyball, a top-20 finish in women's soccer and a bowl victory in football.
The volleyball team earned 90 points for the Illini thanks to a second-place showing at the NCAA Championships while soccer added 50 points after placing 17th overall following an appearance in the NCAA Tournament second round. The football team contributed 45 points and finished 26th following a victory in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
Across the nation, No. 1 Stanford (382.00) holds a 31-point lead over second-place Florida State (351.00). A single point separates No. 3 North Carolina (329.00) and No. 4 UCLA (328.00), who are the only other institutions boasting over 300 points. Among all Big Ten schools, Illinois stands in fifth place. Michigan (272.00) ranks first among all Big Ten programs at No. 5 overall followed closely by Penn State (264.000) at No. 6. Ohio State (206.00) and Wisconsin (192.00) are 12th and 14th, respectively.
The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup honors institutions that maintain a broad-based athletics program, achieving success across men's and women's sports programs. Each institution is awarded points based on the national finish of each program, while the school with the highest annual points total earns a crystal trophy in recognition of its success. The first winter Division I standings will be released Thursday, March 22.
