Arizona State's banner athletic year

Try to think of a single moment that captures Arizona State's year in sports.

You can't.

There are too many.

The Sun Devils just concluded their best season of the Pac-10 era, with contributions stemming from nearly all teams.

The softball, men's indoor track and women's indoor track teams produced national championships.

The women's outdoor track team (second), the women's cross-country team (fourth), the women's golf team (fifth) and the men's outdoor track team (sixth) were all in contention.

As a result, ASU finished fourth in the U.S. Sports Academy Director's Cup standings released by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics last week. The Sun Devils never have placed higher, not even close.

"I am so proud of the great work going on within our athletic family," said Lisa Love, vice president for athletics.

The Sun Devils won five Pac-10 titles during their fight for national attention. They also made strides in other areas that will serve them well in the future.

The football team, under first-year coach Dennis Erickson started 8-0, producing national-title hopes as the weather cooled in November.

A year after winning eight games, second-year men's basketball coach Herb Sendek had the Sun Devils fighting for an NCAA Tournament berth. He even led them to two wins over rival Arizona, the first time that happened since 1995.

Alas, the NCAA Tournament committee wasn't impressed, but there's always next season.

And the Sun Devils again should be relevant. After such a historic season, momentum resides with each ASU team.

"It's exciting, especially because I know (our) programs are going to continue to develop," men's golf coach Randy Lein said.

"Softball was huge for us. And we've learned to expect big things out of the track and field teams. . . . What we've done is just really special."

ASU softball players pose for pictures during a celebration in Tempe after winning the national championship.