January 8, 2001

FURMAN RANKS 36TH NATIONALLY IN NCAA DIVISION I
SEARS DIRECTORS' CUP FINAL FALL STANDINGS

GREENVILLE -- On the strength of is national runner-up finish in football and nationally-ranked men's soccer team, Furman ranks 36th nationally in the NCAA Division I Sears Directors' Cup Final Fall standings, which were released today.

With 110 points, Furman is tied with Clemson and leads two other Southern Conference schools who were among 155 colleges and universities to earn rankings based on top national finishes in fall sports. Georgia Southern ranked 45th and Appalachian State 90th.

Stanford leads the nation with 521 points followed by North Carolina with 305 points and UCLA with 271 points. Colorado ranks fourth with 251 points, and Brigham Young is fifth with 228 points.

Furman went 12-3 and finished as national runner-up in football while the Paladin soccer program posted a 17-5 record and made its third straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

Given annually to the school with the most successful athletics program based on national finishes in up to 20 sports, the Sears Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today.