June 13, 2001

Repeat Winners Sweep Sears Directors' Cup Competition In All Four Divisions

SALT LAKE CITY - The most successful season in program history culminated Wednesday with the announcement that Colorado State University finished the 2001 academic year 47th in the Sears Directors' Cup standings.

The Sears Directors' Cup awards points in a set number of sport programs for men and women, with the annual champion determined by the highest point total. Colorado State finished 47th, 373.5. The Rams are the second highest ranked member of the Mountain West Conference. Brigham Young University finished 16th. Behind Colorado State, the University of Utah follows in 75th with 226 points. San Diego State University is 94th, the University of New Mexico is 101st. Air Force is ranked 105th, the University of Wyoming is 121st, and UNLV finished 130th.

Colorado State was ranked as high as 14th - following the fall sports season - in the standings. The Rams enjoyed the most successful year in school history, including postseason appearances by seven teams:

Coach Sonny Lubick's football team finished 10-2, finished 15th in the final A.P. top 25 poll and beat the University of Louisville in the Liberty Bowl,

Tom Hilbert guided the volleyball team to the NCAA tournament for the sixth year in a row and a second straight berth in the round of 16,

Colorado State's men's and women's cross country teams, coached by Del Hessel, both qualified for the NCAA Championships. All-American Bryan Berryhill won the MWC's individual cross country championship to lead the Rams,

The Rams' women's basketball team won the league tournament championship and for the third time in four seasons, Tom Collen guided the squad to the NCAA Tournament, where the team defeated Maryland in first round game,

Colorado State's men's golf team matched the volleyball program's record for most consecutive NCAA appearances, six, in 2001. Coach Jamie Bermel led the team to the regionals after a third-place MWC finish,

The Rams' women's golf team made history in 2001 with the program's first-ever NCAA invitational. Rookie coach Megan Menzel's team tied for second in the MWC Championships.

Individually, Berryhill had one of the most memorable years in school history as well. He became the first track athlete in school history to win an NCAA Indoor Championships with a victory in the mile run. He made history again during the outdoor season by winning the 1,500 meters in the NCAA meet.