SMU is the top-ranked Conference USA school in the 2005-06 U.S. Sports Academy Director’s Cup Division I standings, and ranks 49th nationally.

This is the ninth consecutive year that SMU has been the top-ranked school in its conference.

“The Director’s Cup recognizes the best overall college athletic programs in the country,” said Assistant Athletic Director for Media Relations Brad Sutton.

The Mustangs are also ranked fourth among Texas schools, behind only the University of Texas (third), Texas A&M University (23rd) and Baylor University (32nd). In addition, SMU ranked 10th nationally among private schools.

Other schools in the top 100 from Conference USA include Rice University (65th), University of Texas at El Paso (76th) and Tulsa (82nd).

Cross-town rival Texas Christian University ranked 55th.

Stanford University secured its 12th consecutive award.

The Director’s Cup was developed as a joint effort between USA Today and the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics, and is the only national ranking system that recognizes schools for their entire athletic department.

-Austin Kilgore