MURFREESBORO, Tenn. - Middle Tennessee capped off one of its best academic and athletic years in school history with a record finish in the 2008-09 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup. The Blue Raiders placed 76th out of 348 Division I schools with 259 total points.
The top 100 schools are dominated by the big six conferences and the Blue Raiders finished 15th nationally among the non big six members.
Middle Tennessee finished ahead of such schools like Kansas, Fresno State, Kansas State, Central Florida, Rutgers, Pittsburgh, Mississippi State, Memphis, South Florida, Houston, and Cincinnati.
"To finish this high in the NACDA Cup is outstanding and it truly speaks volumes about our student-athletes, coaches, administration, and support staff," said Director of Athletics Chris Massaro. "Our goal is to have a national presence and this is a significant step in that direction. Once we get to this level then we need to maintain and improve on our success.
"Everyone in our athletic department, the University, and community should take great pride in this because this was a total team effort and something that is not easily accomplished."
Middle Tennessee scored a conference record 145.5 total points (out of a possible 186) to win its fifth Sun Belt Conference All-Sports Trophy in 2008-09. The Blue Raiders won or shared seven conference championships during the 2008-09 campaign.
The Blue Raiders made NCAA appearances in baseball, women's basketball, men's golf, women's indoor track, men's outdoor track, women's outdoor track, men's tennis, and volleyball. Middle Tennessee captured Sun Belt Conference regular season titles in baseball and women's basketball, and conference post-season championships in men's indoor track, women's basketball, men's tennis, and men's golf.
2008-09 Highlights
" Seven Team Conference Championships
" Four Coach of the Year Honors
" Eight All-Americans, including one consensus All-American
" Two National Player of the Week Honors
" Eight SBC Players of the Year
" Two student-athletes led the nation in statistical categories: Alysha Clark, WBB, (points per game); Bryce Brentz, Baseball, (home runs, batting average, slugging percentage, total bases).
" 17 student-athletes won individual conference championships
" 24 student-athletes were named to post-season all-conference teams (does not include track/cross-country)
" Two student-athletes invited to Team USA trials with Bryce Brentz being selected to the 2009 USA National Team.
" One State of Tennessee Player of the Year
ALL-TIME NACDA CUP FINISHES FOR MT
2008-09: 76 (259 points)
2007-08: 128 (138 points)
2006-07: 101 (178 points)
2005-06: Did not score past 100
2004-05: T169 (75 points)
2003-04: T132 (123 points)
2002-03: T162 (83.5 points)
2001-02: 156 (89.5 points)
2000-01: 162 (73.5 points)
1999-00: 105 (149 points)
1998-99: 214 (10 points)
1997-98: 202 (10 points)
1996-97: 196 (32.5 points)
1995-96: 152 (68.5 points)
1994-95: 109 (52.5 points)
1993-94: 123 (91 points)
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