Another year, another Directors’ Cup for Grand Valley State University.

Athletic success has become the staple at GVSU, and the ultimate measure of success in Division II athletics – the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup – is returning to Allendale again.

The school notched its eighth-consecutive cup on 6/17 after scoring a Division II-record with 1,057.50 points, 277.75 points better than second place University of Central Missouri.

“This is an accomplishment that really reflects on the quality of the student-athletes, coaches and support staff we have at Grand Valley State,” said GVSU athletic director Tim Selgo. “This is a school award and we are proud to represent Grand Valley State University.”

Scoring for the Directors’ Cup is based on individual team success, and the Lakers have been persistent with their success, scoring 411 points in the fall, 292 in the winter and 354.50 in the spring.

The success the Lakers have seen on the court and field began with a trickle-down effect from the athletic department itself. Selgo’s leadership, along with consistency among coaching staffs for each sport has given the steady atmosphere necessary for success.

“I think the consistency of the coaching staff brings a consistency amongst teaching and recruiting,” said GVSU head women’s soccer coach Dave DiIanni, whose team has won back-to-back NCAA Championships. “You build relationships with athletes, and if you can have a coach that is there for four years, then you’re going to build that consistency.”

With 13 teams finishing in the top-10 nationally this year, the Directors’ Cup win is another sign of where GVSU athletics are at. Not only did the Lakers see top-10 success from their teams, but they also saw four teams – women’s soccer, women’s cross country, women’s indoor track and field and women’s outdoor track and field – collect NCAA Championships this season.

“Stability is important, and that’s one thing Tim (Selgo) and the athletic department is focused on,” said GVSU head men’s and women’s track coach Jerry Baltes. “One thing I feel we have going for us is that the school gives every program the chance to be successful. Whatever program you’re with at GVSU, you have the chance to be successful, which is something a lot of schools don’t have.”

On top of the countless victories on the field, the Lakers’ have been one of the cleanest college athletics programs in any division. In an era where players are selling memorabilia and driving expensive cars, GVSU has stayed clean and avoided NCAA sanctions, excelling as the most successful program in Division II athletics.

“It’s extremely important because we want to do things the right way,” said Selgo of a clean NCAA record. “We do that by having high-character people in the department who do things the right way.”

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