August 27, 1998
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Coming off a strong 1997-1998 season the Purdue Boilermakers are looking to build off last year's No. 46 national ranking in the Sears Directors' Cup Championship. The annual award is presented to the top athletic program in the nation.
Propelled by a bowl-worthy 1998 football campaign, a new soccer program, fine men's and women's basketball programs, and many returning stars in Olympic sports such as wrestling, volleyball and baseball, the Boilers look to gain spots in the yearly award's final standings. The quest for continued national prominence begins this Sunday when the Boilermakers football team travels to Southern California to play in the Pigskin Classic.
The Sears Directors' Cup Championship is determined by awarding points based on each institutions finish in a predetermined, equal number of sports for men and women. Top honors last year went to Stanford University. The Big Ten finished in a tie with the Pacific 10 and the Southeastern Conference for the most teams represented in the top 50. Each conference had a showing of eight teams.