In the state of Texas, especially at the University of Texas at Austin, football is king. So after another sub-par season (and seeing Texas A&M and other colleges dominate recruiting in the state), it’s understandable that fans may be a little nervous about UT athletics rankings. Despite the football team undergoing a complete renovation under new coach Charlie Strong, the past year was actually a huge success for athletics on the 40 Acres.
The stellar performance of these athletes proves Texas has a lot to be proud of.
On Friday, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics announced the 2013-2014 standings for the Division I Learfield Sports Directors' Cup. The standings are a joint effort between the NACDA and USA Today to award points to universities based on where they finish in the top 20 sports (10 women's and 10 men’s) for each school.
UT comes in at No. 6 nationally and was the top-ranked university in the Big 12 Conference. During the 2013-2014 academic year, the university boasted six teams with a top five finish and 15 teams in top 20 finishes in NCAA sports championships. The No. 1 spot for the Cup went to Stanford, followed by Florida, Notre Dame, Virginia and Penn State.
The No. 6 ranking is a major jump from last year’s No. 13 ranking for UT, and the school now boasts 15 top 10 finishes in the 21 years of the Director’s Cup. To their credit, other Texas colleges had respectable showings, including Texas A&M in the No. 10 spot and Baylor coming in at No. 31.
The Longhorns may not have had a dynamite season on the football field, but the past year was packed with many non-football highlights including baseball and volleyball championship runs. And Texas’ high standing this year should help fans breath a little easier about the upcoming football season. Many sports analysts think we’re due to finish in the middle of the Big 12 football pack in 2014.
Sports like men’s swimming or women’s track and field may not bring in the ratings (or money) that a football team can, but the stellar performance of these athletes proves Texas has a lot to be proud of.
With a No. 6 national ranking for the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup, Bevo has plenty to be happy about.
One of the weekend's major talking points was the addition of the new Paddock Hospitality track at the top of Turn 1. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although he is not in contention for a repeat championship, Lando Norris remains a crowd favorite. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli led from the start, never losing placement as he claimed his ninth win of the season. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It was hard to get a moment with Paddock star the Ferrari Pope, who posed for pictures all weekend. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Kimi Antonelli greeted the Grandstand before boarding the trailer ahead of the Driver's Parade on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Lily Zneimer stopped for a quick portrait before heading into the McLaren garage to support her boyfriend, driver Oscar Piastri.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
McLaren CEO Zak Brown and Michael Dell made their way to the McLaren garage just before the qualifying round on Saturday afternoon. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It takes a well-oiled machine of a team to win races. No drama, just fist bumps and good communication. Oh, and a fast car.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
COTA's new attraction is the theme park, aptly named COTALand. Clearly, the jury remains out on the spectacle. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's not uncommon to see fans lined up outside of the Paddock as they wait for their favorite drivers and teams to head out for the day. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Last year's US Grand Prix winner, Max Verstappen, finished third this year after starting second on the grid. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Alpine's pit crew got their warm-ups done shortly before race start on Sunday. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
"All we talk about are tires and batteries in this sport. (They're the) stars of the show," said Nic Cameron of Leeds, New York. Mercedes engineers stacked used tires from the qualifying session to send off for analysis.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Interior designer and Miss Jamaica Universe 1994 Angelie Spencer was on site to support her favorite team, Ferrari. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Having Cadillac driver and fan favorite Checo Perez back on the grid has been great for the US Grand Prix, as thousands of Mexicans come to Austin to watch their countryman race. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
It's no surprise who fashion influencer Aimee Kelly supports.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
Although Antonelli took home the winner’s trophy, he did not clinch the driver’s championship as some had hoped. He needed teammate George Russell to fall to 9th and ex-Mercedes world champion Lewis Hamilton to finish in 5th. Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The Mercedes garage was full of adrenaline as they waited for Antonelli to arrive at parc fermé and take the traditional plunge into the hands of his crew.Photo by Daniel Cavazos
The championship is all but Antonelli’s, with one hand firmly on the grip of the trophy. He is expected to complete his first-ever world championship this weekend in Mexico.Photo by Daniel Cavazos