UCI in top five for All-Sports standings

UC Irvine finished fourth in the Division I-AAA Athletics Directors Assn. All-Sports standings for 2014-15. The Anteaters finished 81st overall in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup standings among the 289 NCAA Division I schools that scored postseason points.

UCI has finished in the top five among NCAA Division I-AAA institutions eight of the last nine years and was once again the top Big West Conference school overall.

“This national recognition is a true testament to our student-athletes, coaches and staff,” UCI Athletic Director Mike Izzi said. “The University is committed to excellence and I’m extremely proud that our hard work has once again confirmed we are among the nation’s best athletic programs.”

Denver claimed the top spot with 508.75 points, while Providence was second with 450.5, Pepperdine third (247.00) and Iona (204.00) fifth.

While UCI ranks No. 4 among NCAA Division I non-FBS/FCS institutions, it is No. 1 among Big West members with more teams recording points than any other conference school. The Anteaters were also the only Big West school to score points in fall, winter and spring seasons.

A Sweet 16 appearance for men’s soccer gave the Anteaters 64 points to start the year, then men’s basketball earned 25 points with its first NCAA Tournament appearance, narrowly falling to Louisville, 57-55 in the second round.

A strong spring capped the year with 147.75 points. Men’s volleyball was an NCAA semifinalist, women’s water polo finished fifth at the NCAA Championship and men’s golf competed in the NCAA West Regional.

The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Assn. of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 20 sports — 10 women’s and 10 men’s.

— From staff reports