It was indeed a banner year for University of Minnesota Duluth athletics and that showed in the 2008-09 NCAA II Learfield Directors' Cup standings which had the Bulldogs placing 18th -- their best showing ever.

UMD, buoyed by a national championship finish in football, racked up 454 points, a mark bettered by only one other Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference school (Minnesota State University-Mankato with 800.25). Points for the Learfield Sports Director Cup are awarded based on each institution's finish in up to 14 sports.

Besides football (100 points), UMD turned in point-scoring efforts in women's cross country (8th place; 66 pts.), volleyball (tied for 9th; 64 pts.), men's hockey (tied for 9th; 60 pts.), women's hockey (3rd; 55 pts.), women's indoor track and field (11th; 66 pts.) and women's outdoor track and field (29th; 43 pts).

"This certainly says something about the balance of our athletic program," said UMD athletic director and head football coach Bob Nielson. "We've always prided ourselves on our all-around competitiveness and this past year we did a great job of showing it."

2008-09 Learfield Sports Directors' Cup Standings