LSU is the king of the college football world, but that may not be enough.
After climbing as high as No. 12 among Division I schools, LSU has slipped to No. 13 in the latest standings of the U.S. Sports Academy’s Director’s Cup, released April 10.
The Director’s Cup was established in 1993 as an award given to the Division I, Division II, Division III and National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics schools with the most successful athletic programs. The cup is awarded based on a system that gives points for order of finish in NCAA championship events.
North Carolina won the first Director’s Cup, and Stanford has won it every year since.
LSU Senior Assosciate Athletic Director Verge Ausberry said the Director’s Cup does not factor into the Athletic Department’s plans for the future.
“It’s worth paying attention to, but it doesn’t mean much about where we stand as an athletic department,” Ausberry said. “We don’t use the Director’s Cup as a measuring stick.”
Many LSU students tend to agree with those sentiments.
“It’s always nice to see the track team and gymnastics team doing well,” said Josh Russell, general studies senior. “But as long as football, basketball and baseball are doing well, that’s the main thing. Ten years from now I think people will remember us winning the national title in football, but no one is going to remember the Director’s Cup.”
Others think the success of several teams is good for LSU’s image and publicity.
“Having a good spectrum and being good at everything really helps,” said Paul Gillespie, political science sophomore. “It diversifies your school and makes you seen throughout the year.”
Ausberry said LSU is performing well in the majority of the 20 sports it offers.
LSU won 100 points for its national title in football, and 83 points for the women’s basketball team’s trip to the Final Four. Men’s and women’s indoor track combined for 170 points, and the volleyball and soccer programs each earned 50 points for their appearances in their respective NCAA tournaments.
Ausberry said the impact of LSU’s less-successful programs on the Director’s Cup standings are not a concern. The LSU men’s basketball team recently concluded its second straight season without a postseason appearance, and the baseball program stands at 6-11-1 in conference play.
“Baseball is struggling right now, but hopefully [LSU baseball coach] Paul [Mainieri] will get that turned around soon,” Ausberry said. “But when you a hire a coach, you’re looking for NCAA and SEC championships, not the Director’s Cup.”
The competition is organized into fall, winter and spring sports. The final winter standings will be released May 1.
Baseball and softball are considered spring sports and will be included in the final standings for 2007-2008, which will be released June 26.
Stanford currently holds a 223-point lead, and is positioned to win the award for the 14th consecutive year.
—-Contact David Helman at [email protected]