SEATTLE (July 11) ­ In its best placement ever, Seattle Pacific University finished at No. 14 in the final standings for NCAA Division II programs in the U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup.

Michigan's Grand Valley State University won its third consecutive Directors' Cup, presented annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), United States Sports Academy and USA Today to the best overall collegiate athletics programs in the country.

Behind its NCAA-runner-up finish in women's soccer and semifinal advancement in men's basketball, SPU accumulated 405 points. The Falcons, whose previous best finish was 22nd in 1998-99, rose 19 spots from a year ago.

Earlier, Seattle Pacific had won its first Great Northwest Athletic Conference All-Sports crown. The next-best GNAC team in the Directors' Cup standings was Western Washington in 34th.

Developed as a joint effort between USA Today and NACDA, the U.S. Sports Academy Directors' Cup program is the only all-sports competition that recognizes the institution with the best overall athletics program.

1. Grand Valley State (Mich.) 974.75
2. Abilene Christian (Tex.) 592.5
3. Nebraska Omaha 591
4. Southern Illinois Edwardsville 569.25
5. Cal State Bakersfield 518
6. UC San Diego 497.5
7. Central Missouri State 483.75
8. Cal State Chico 481
8. Minnesota State Mankato 481
10. Lynn (Fla.) 471
11. Massachusetts Lowell 445.25
12. Emporia State (Kan.) 413.5
13. Nebraska Kearney 407.5
14. Seattle Pacific (Wash.) 405
15. Florida Southern 404
16. Adams State (Colo.) 393
17. Drury (Mo.) 388.5
18. Barry (Fla.) 370.5
19. Northwest Missouri State 359
20. Tampa (Fla.) 358