The Menlo College Athletic Department can look at itself in the mirror these days and crack a smile.
That's because the Oaks cracked the top 100 of the NACDA Learfield Sports Directors' Cup, a prestigious list based on department-wide achievement, for the first time in school history.
Menlo ranked No. 85 of a possible 300 NAIA colleges, and was the highest ranked school in the California Pacific Conference.
"For the colleges and universities that are consistently in the top 100 this may not be as big of a deal, but for us it is confirmation that our plan is working and that we have an amazing group of coaches, staff, and student-athletes," Menlo Director of Athletics Keith Spataro said. "We have a plan and our coaches can use this as motivation as now they know we can compete with the best."
NACDA officially ranks the top 195 NAIA schools based on their on-field athletic success in up to 12 sports, six in each gender.
"This is truly a remarkable accomplishment, especially given our size," Spataro said. "We are extremely proud of this honor and are excited about what the future holds."
The Oaks raised their ranking 38 spots from their previous best by winning three Cal Pac conference championships and sending seven teams into the postseason, six to a national tournament.
Menlo produced 11 All-Americans, two conference Players of the Year and 37 All-Conference recipients.
"I look forward to leading this amazing group of coaches and staff to a top 50 ranking next year," Spartaro said.
