Long recognized for its academic excellence, UC Davis received national kudos this week for its Division II athletic program by being named the recipient of the Sears Directors' Cup. The Sears Directors' Cup is the only all-sports trophy offered to four-year NCAA institutions and the holder is honored as having the best overall athletic program in the country at its division level. This is the first year the competition has been extended to levels other than Division I. The Aggies scored in 12 of the possible 16 sports in the Division II competition. "It's our broad-based program that really pushed us over the top," said Greg Warzecka, UC Davis director of athletics. "Winning the award is important to UC Davis because of our philosophy of offering broad-based sports programs to our athletes. It means we're the best in the nation this year at doing what we do. To win the first-ever Sears Cup is a huge honor for UC Davis." Artisans at Waterford Crystal in Ireland spend three months hand-crafting each of the four Sears Directors' Cups, each valued at $35,000. In addition, each university will receive a $5,000 postgraduate scholarship for an outstanding student who supports the athletic department, such as a band member, academic tutor, cheerleader, trainer or sports information intern.