June 27, 2012
NORMAL, Ill. - The 2011-12 campaign was a great all-around year for Illinois State athletics and further proof was provided with the release of the final standings of the 2011-12 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup, where the ISU athletics department finished ranked No. 82 in the nation and tops among Missouri Valley Conference programs.
Highlights of the athletic season included junior Tim Glover defending his national championship in the javelin, while senior thrower Brittany Smith placed second nationally in both the shot put and hammer throw. In addition, Illinois State fielded five conference champions this season in softball, soccer (regular season and tournament), gymnastics and women's cross country, while four teams - soccer, softball, men's basketball and women's basketball - each advanced to postseason play.
With 233 points, Illinois State was the highest-ranked program from the Missouri Valley Conference, topping Creighton, which finished No. 91. The Redbirds also bettered programs from the big six conferences like Cincinnati, Wake Forest, Villanova, Washington State, Marquette, Rutgers and Pittsburgh.
The Redbirds were also successful academically during the 2011-12 season. ISU student-athletes set a school record with a 3.15 grade-point average in the fall, and then equaled the effort in the spring semester.
The Learfield Sports Directors' 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 20 sports -- 10 women's and 10 men's.
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