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OBU—Oklahoma Baptist University

OBU Fifth in NAIA Directors' Cup

June 21, 2007

Oklahoma Baptist University's 2006-07 athletics finished fifth in the 2006-07 U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup standings for the NAIA.


OBU finished as the top school from the Sooner Athletic Conference and NAIA Region VI with 639 points, capturing two national championships along the way. The Bison received 100 points each for its men's outdoor track and field and the women's indoor track and field teams.

OBU also received 90 points for the men's indoor track and field, 85 for women's outdoor track and field, 80 for men's cross country, 57 for women's cross country, 53 points for men's basketball, 25 for men's tennis, 25 points for women's basketball, 19.5 for women's golf, 5 for men's golf

"Actually, I was a bit surprised, though thrilled that we finished as high as we did this year," said Dr. Norris Russell, OBU director of athletics. "We had an exceptional year in men's and women's track and field, finished strong in the men's and women's basketball and cross country. While we didn't score in a couple of sports that we normally do, the men's tennis team made up the difference with a national tournament appearance. Again, though, it is a tremendous tribute to some top NAIA coaches and athletes. We all take pride in having one of the top athletics programs in the nation."

OBU was 17th at the end of the fall season and moved up to eighth after a successful winter season (basketball and indoor track) and moved up past Mid-America Nazarene, Simon Fraser and Cumberlands with a strong spring performance.

The Bison finished second in the SAC Cup standings, which doesn't figure indoor track into the formula because there is not a true SAC championship season in that sport.

With indoor track included in the national standings, OBU was easily the best athletic program in the SAC. Oklahoma City finished 12th in the national standings with 557 points, followed by Southern Nazarene in 23rd at 459.5, No. 29 Oklahoma Christian at 441, No. 37 Wayland Baptist at 375.5, No. 72 St. Gregory's at 216.75, No. 85 Lubbock Christian at 191.5, No. 129 Northwestern Oklahoma State at 105 and No. 130 John Brown at 104.

Houston Baptist was the top non-SAC Region VI member. In their final year before going to NCAA Division I, the Huskies were the No. 51 program in the NAIA.