University of North Carolina Athletics
UNC Ranks No. 3 In Survey Of Athletic Programs
February 23, 2001 | General
Feb. 23, 2001
CHAPEL HILL - The University of North Carolina Department of Athletics is ranked No. 3 in the country by The Sporting News' in its second annual survey of the best college athletic programs. Stanford finished first in the survey with an overall grade-point average of 3.50 on a 4.00 scale and narrowly edged Michigan State and UNC. The Spartans and Tar Heels also received 3.50s, but Stanford won on the basis of total points.
The Sporting News' evaluation looks at each school's entire athletic program, but focuses on football and men's basketball. The weekly national sports publication relied on the most current data available to grade schools in four categories: "Do they win?," "Do they graduate?," "Do they rock?" and "Do they play fair?"
"It is a great compliment to our total athletics program and the University of North Carolina," says Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. "We are extremely proud to compete at the highest levels nationally and within the ACC despite the financial restrictions we face running a 28-sport, broad-based program. What is especially nice about this ranking is it measures not only how successful you are on the field of competition, but also takes into equal account how well your students do academically and how you as an institution plays by the rules. We are able to reach such lofty heights due to an outstanding group of student-athletes, coaches and staff."
In a departure from last year's evaluation when the survey looked at each school's athletic performance and attendance over the previous four seasons, this year's ranking was based on only the most immediate completed season. The 115 Division I schools were graded on the 1999-2000 basketball season and the 2000 football season.
The Sporting News graded schools on how well their football and basketball teams did. It looked at the crowds they drew, the size of the budgets supporting them and the merchandise sales they generated. Plus, the magazine investigated the academic success of their football and basketball players through the latest NCAA graduation rate statistics.
The Sporting News also evaluated the number of teams each school sponsored, the graduation rate for all student-athletes and the extent to which schools have complied with the gender equity requirements of Title IX. Finally, it looked at NCAA compliance issues.
