June 30, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Maryland Athletics finished in "The Elite 25" among all Division I schools in the nation as the final United States Sports Academy Directors' Cup Standings were released Tuesday. The Terrapins placed 24th overall in the Division I field of more than 320 schools -- marking a finish in the top seven percent. Maryland had 12 teams garner points throughout the 2003-04 academic year for a total of 599 points.

"Achieving Top 25 status for overall competitive excellence was one of our department's goals for 2003-04," said Director of Athletics Deborah A. Yow. "It is particularly gratifying to see our coaches and student-athletes excel in this special way. We are in the midst of raising scholarship money for our eight underfunded men's programs and once that is attained, our goals will be Top 15 status."

This year marked the second consecutive year Maryland placed in "The Elite 25" as it finished 22nd in 2002-03. Over the last seven years, Maryland has finished in "The Elite 25" four times, finishing as high as 19th in 1997-98.

In the fall, five of the six programs at Maryland earned points with field hockey and men's soccer leading the way with 83 points apiece after both teams finished tied for third in the nation, reaching the national semifinals. The volleyball team picked up 50 points after reaching the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The football team was awarded 34 points as it was ranked 20th in the final USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll after beating West Virginia in the Toyota Gator Bowl. The women's soccer team also gained 25 points, making the NCAA Tournament.

The winter featured four teams collecting points with men's and women's basketball advancing to the NCAA Tournament second round, picking 50 points apiece. The gymnastics team was awarded 46.5 points after finishing fifth at the NCAA Southeast Regionals while the women's swimming team picked up 44 points for its 29th-place finish in the NCAA Championships.

In the spring, both the men's and women's lacrosse teams reached the NCAA Quarterfinals to earn 120 total points between the two teams while the men's golf team garnered 13.5 points for its 20th place finish in the NCAA Regionals.

The complete final standings can be found by clicking here: FINAL STANDINGS.