DAHLONEGA - The University of North Georgia athletic department capped one of the most overall successful years in the history of the department with a 68^th place finish in the NCAA Division II Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings.

North Georgia finished third among Peach Belt Conference schools behind Columbus State (351, 51st) and Armstrong State (343, 52^nd) and sixth in the Southeast Region.

The 68^th place finish is the second best in school history behind a 62^nd place standing after the 2014-15 season, which was anchored by the softball team's National Championship. 

Prior to the 2014-15 season, the Nighthawks' best finish was 101^st in 2015-16.

The Nighthawks' year was punctuated by winning the Peach Belt Conference's three major awards recognizing success in the field of competition, classroom and community: Commissioner's Cup, Presidents' Academic Award and LeeAnn Noble Make-A-Wish Award.  The Commissioner's Cup and Presidents' Academic Awards are the first in school history.

Four of UNG's six spring sports earned points led by the baseball team's 73 and the softball team's 64.  Men's and women's tennis earned 25 points apiece.

The Learfield Sports Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finishes in the NCAA Championships.

North Georgia Learfield Directors' Cup History (NCAA Era)

2016-17 – 68th place, 283 points
2015-16 – 101st place, 196 points
2014-15 – 62nd place, 294.5 points
2013-14 – 140th place, 140 points
2012-13 – 186th place, 75 points
2011-12 – 137th place, 139 points
2010-11 – 178th place, 78 points
2009-10 – 171st place, 78 points
2008-09 – 160th place, 104 points
2007-08 – 165th place, 89 points