CLEVELAND, OH -- The University of Delaware athletics program, led by strong fall performances by the Blue Hen football and volleyball teams, is currently ranked No. 42 in the NCAA Division I U.S. Sports Academy Directors’ Cup national standings announced earlier this month.

The U.S. Sports Academy Directors Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today to honor broad-based success on the playing field. Points are awarded based on each institution’s NCAA Tournament finish in up to 20 sports - 10 women’s and 10 men’s. The rankings were produced based on results through the fall sports season.

Delaware received 140 points, earning 90 points for its second place finish in the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision Tournament and 50 points for the Blue Hen volleyball team’s trip to the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

Delaware was the highest ranked team in the Colonial Athletic Association, earning more points than No. 44 James Madison, No. 55 William & Mary, No. 59 Old Dominion, and No. 91 Hofstra.

The University of California-Berkeley is in first place in the standings with 370 points thanks to winning the men’s water polo title, placing third in women’s volleyball, qualifying for the NCAA Championships in men’s cross country, football, women’s soccer, and men’s soccer, and competing in a football bowl game.

Southern California was at No. 2 followed by Stanford, Oregon, Penn State, Wake Forest, West Virginia, Connecticut, Texas, and Florida in the Top 10. Over 300 institutions compete at the NCAA Division I level and are eligible for the rankings.