Wingate Climbs to No. 12 in Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup Standings
CLEVELAND - After strong seasons in both men's and women's basketball, Wingate has moved into 12th place in the Division II Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings, which were released this week following the completion of winter sports.
The Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 14 sports - seven women's and seven men's.
Wingate's women's basketball team caught fire late in the season, finishing atop the regular season SAC standings and winning the 2012 Food Lion SAC Championship title. The Bulldogs then advanced to the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship Southeast Region Final before being tripped up by Lander.
WU went 23-7 overall this season and 13-5 in the SAC.
Wingate's men's basketball program also had a memorable 2011-12 season, finishing third in the regular season SAC standings before winning the 2012 Food Lion SAC Championship title. The Bulldogs reached the NCAA Championship Regional Semifinals, but were eliminated by league-rival Anderson.
They finished the season 20-12 overall and 13-5 in the conference.
Three other SAC schools appear in the top-100 of the updated Learfield Sports Director's Cup standings - Lenoir-Rhyne at No. 67, Mars Hill and No. 82 and Anderson at No. 90.
Anderson's climb in the standings was aided by its run to the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Southeast Region Final.
Grand Valley St. (Mich.) leads the Cup standings after the winter season. The first spring standings will be published on May 24.