Lindenwood Belleville Leads Directors Cup

Newport News, VA – Following national titles in Golf and Men’s Soccer, Lindenwood University Belleville is out to a big lead in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Director’s Cup race. The Director’s Cup is set forth to honor member institutions that excel in a wide range of men’s and women’s sports for which the USCAA offers championships. The cup sets out to highlight the efforts of an athletic program to produce a vibrant program, diverse in its offerings, and who compete for national championships on a regular basis. Points are awarded in a declining scale based on finish at USCAA National Championship events. Additionally, each member institution receives five points for each sport offering sponsored by the association.

 

Lindenwood’s lead was no easy task. Their men’s soccer program first had to beat defending champion University of Maine Fort Kent in penalty kicks in the USCAA Soccer semi-finals, and then had to edge perennial power Briarcliffe in a 2-1 final that didn’t see the first goal until under ten minutes in the second half. Their men’s golf team had a thrilling comeback in day two, taking the championship from day one leaders and two time defending champions Rochester College. Additionally, Lindenwood received points from their men’s cross country (6th place finish), women’s cross country (10th place finish), volleyball (T-5th), and women’s soccer (T-7th) teams.

 

Lindenwood, who has 432.5 points, is trailed by Southern Virginia (336 points) and Spalding University (283 points). Even with an almost 100 point lead, the race for the cup is not nearly over. Southern Virginia saw a strong winter and spring season last year, with a national championship in men’s basketball and a runner-up finish in baseball. Additionally, Southern Virginia won the inaugural Director’s Cup in 2007 and each of the subsequent three titles, until being knocked off by Spalding last season. Last year, Spalding raced to a Director’s Cup Championship with strong winter and spring performances. They had third place finishes in men’s basketball, women’s basketball, and softball. Additionally, their baseball team finished in a tie for 4th place. Lindenwood led the Director’s Cup after the fall season last year as well. This year, they hope to retain their lead, for the institution’s first Directors Cup championship.