For us, that has to be the primary thing. PLU won the first Directors' Cup presented at the NAIA level, and the award is now annually presented to the top NCAA Division I, II and III and NAIA athletic programs based on national-level performance. While 1998-99 PLU athletic year was pretty normal, PLU placed 20th in the NCAA Division III Sears Directors' Cup standings. Make no mistake, 20th in the nation is outstanding by any measure. There are a lot of schools that would give just about anything to have the kind of success that we've had.
Tradition sets the standard and helps makes a difference.
Brad Moore, who starts his 20th season as head coach of the cross country and track and field programs, credits such individuals as Olson, former tennis coach Mike Benson '69 and the current administration with creating and sustaining an environment for success. I think we as coaches are responsible for creating a family atmosphere for the athletes. There's a closeness within teams and with other teams. Center Tara Millet '00 works around a George Fox Bruin to make the shot during the 1998-1999 season. One of the successes coaches and administrators are most proud of comes in academics.