At the conclusion of the 2016-17 academic year, The Master’s University ranks 38th in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup, the list of the nation’s best NAIA athletic programs. The Mustangs garnered 395 points after six of its 12 sports teams finished among the top 25 in the nation.

TMU tallied 142.50 points in the fall after the men’s cross country team earned 75 points after placing fifth overall, while the women’s cross country team placed 10th overall in the NAIA for 67.5 points. At the end of the winter sports season, TMU tallied 106 total points after both Mustang basketball teams earned 53 points after making impressive postseason runs. Finally, TMU accumulated 146.50 points at the conclusion of the spring sports season after Mustang baseball placed fifth overall in the NAIA for 78 points, men’s golf finished 11th for 57 points, and men’s track & field earned 11.5 points after finishing 61st in the NAIA.

Statistically, TMU’s No. 38 ranking in 2016-17 is the third-best program finish in in the institution’s history as the Mustangs concluded the 2015-16 season with an all-time best No. 24 ranking (388 points), and a No. 35 ranking (334 points) at the conclusion of the 2012-13 season. Historically, the Mustangs concluded the 2014-15 season in 42nd place with 335 points, 46th at the end of the 2013-14 season with 292.50 points, 114th in 2011-12 with 120 points, 77th in 2010-11 with 178 points, 88th in 2009-10 with 142 points, and 152nd in 2008-09 with 52 points.

Notably, only two other Golden State Athletic Conference institutions sit among the NAIA’s Top 25 schools as Westmont College finished eighth with 631.25 points, while Biola University placed 18th overall with 512 points. These marks support the notion that the GSAC is among the premier conferences in the NAIA.

The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and the USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 12 sports — six women’s and six men’s. Complete standings and the scoring structure can be found on NACDA’s website at www.directorscup.org.

The vision of Mustang Athletics is to support the mission of the University by investing in a tradition of quality athletics while guiding students to be stewards of the opportunity to excel academically and spiritually as a follower of Christ.