In a shrewd, brand-centric move, Texas A&M finished the 2016-2017 athletic year ranked 12th in the Division I Learfield Sports Directors' Cup rankings. This is also the 12th straight year that A&M has finished in the Top 25, as noted in the official release below.
Somewhere, Jason Cook is beaming.
Official release from Texas A&M:
COLLEGE STATION, Texas—The Texas A&M athletics program and the 12th Man finished in 12th place in the final standings of the 2016-17 Division I Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup rankings.
The Aggies finished 12th in the final 2015-16 standings and this marks the 12th consecutive year to finish among the country’s Top 25 and the seventh time in the past eight years to finish among the Top 12.
“The number 12 holds a great deal of significance in Aggieland and I am very proud of our student-athletes, coaches, staff and fans for another outstanding year,” Texas A&M Director of Athletics Scott Woodward said. “When you combine our academic success with the selfless service of our student-athletes in the community, it is an inspiring example of the drive and passion of our young people. The overall academic and athletic excellence in the SEC makes me proud that we are a part of such a terrific conference.”
Texas A&M finished third among SEC schools. Eight of the 14 SEC schools finished in the Top 25 and all 14 schools finished No. 64 or better.
The final rankings included 73 points for the Aggie baseball team and head coach Rob Childress for reaching the College World Series in Omaha.
Coach Pat Henry and the Aggie men’s outdoor track and field squad led the way in scoring in the spring with a second-place finish at the NCAA Championships, good for 90 points. The women’s track and field unit placed 13th at the NCAA Championships to earn 60.75 points.
Coach Jo Evans and the softball team reached the College World Series in Oklahoma City and recorded 73 points for a seventh place finish.
Coach Steve Denton and the Texas A&M men’s tennis squad placed ninth by reaching the Sweet 16 at the NCAA Championships earning 64 points while head coach Mark Weaver and the women’s tennis team also placed ninth by reaching the NCAA Championships Sweet 16 and scored 64 points.
Coach Trelle McCombs and the women’s golf team finished No. 33 and scored 39.5 points by reaching the NCAA Regionals while Coach JT Higgins and the men’s golf team placed No. 32 and scored 39 points by reaching the NCAA Regional Tournament.
The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup takes into consideration the top 10 female sports and the top 10 male sports at each institution. In Texas A&M’s case, the school sponsors 20 intercollegiate sports, 11 female and nine male.
You can also view the
complete point breakdown and final standings here.
