Yow has talked about building a top-25 national sports program there since arriving from Maryland in 2010. At the time, N.C. State was coming off an 89th-place finish in the Directors' Cup, presented annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics to the nation's top overall athletic program.

The Wolfpack improved to 67th last year then leapt to 37th this year. It was the school's best finish since 34th in 2006.

The two-year rise of 52 spots is the largest ever by an Atlantic Coast Conference program, according to the school.

Yow says the improvement by the school's most highest-profile teams -- football and men's basketball -- makes that success even sweeter.

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