ALL-TIME WashU FINISHES
FINAL STANDINGS
 
CLEVELAND, Ohio – For the first time in program history, the Washington University in St. Louis Bears have won the Learfield Directors' Cup, presented by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), the organization announced on Tuesday. The Directors' Cup is widely considered the ultimate measurement of overall athletic program success in collegiate sports.
 
The Bears are the nation's top all-sports program for the first time and only the eighth different institution in Division III to win. Points for the Directors' Cup are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships. It marks the 22^nd year in a row that the Bears have finished in the Top 10.
 
Overall, 18 sports are counted in the final DIII standings, four of which must be men's and women's soccer and men's and women's basketball. The next highest (14 max.) sports scored for each institution, regardless of gender, are used in the standings. 
 
WashU tallied 1,266.50 points during the 2025-26 year, highlighted by national championships won by women's soccer and women's indoor track and field. Among the 19 programs, 18 made the NCAA Tournament and four finished in the Final Four in their respective sports.
 
"Consecutively for 21 years, WashU has been in the Top 10 of the Directors' Cup, but year 22 was different with 18 teams all nationally ranked in the Top 20," said Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Director of Athletics Anthony J. Azama. "There is no other way to receive this prestigious award than to earn it. Congrats to the administrators, support staff, coaches and student-athletes for their hard work and 3.67 GPA. To university leadership, Chancellor Martin and Vice Chancellor Gonzalez, thank you for your commitment to the development of Scholar-Champions. This is a special place!"
 
In total, 18 WashU programs reached the postseason, earning points in:

• Volleyball, Sweet 16 (64)
• Men's cross country, 16^th place (58.5)
• Women's cross country, 7^th place (72)
• Women's soccer, National Champions (100)
• Men's soccer, Sweet 16 (64)
• Men's basketball, Sweet 16 (64)
• Women's basketball, Sweet 16 (64)
• Women's swimming and diving, 13^th place (63)
• Men's swimming and diving, 10^th place (67.5)
• Women's indoor track and field, National Champions (100)
• Men's indoor track and field, 8^th place (70.5)
• Softball, Regional Final (50)
• Baseball, Regional Final (50)
• Women's tennis, National Runner-Up (90)
• Men's tennis, Regional Final (64)
• Women's golf, 5^th place (75)
• Women's outdoor track and field, National Runner Up (90)
• Men's outdoor track and field, 14^th place (60)

 The Bears have finished second four times in program history, most recently with back-to-back second-place finishes in 2016 and 2017. In the 22 years that the Bears have finished in the Top 10, 16 years have been in the Top 5.
 
In addition to the fantastic athletic performances, the Bears also get it done in the classroom, posting a 3.67 GPA for the 2025-26 year. In total, 295 Scholar-Champions received academic all-conference honors and there have been eight Academic All-Americans (and counting) and 57 Academic All-District selections (and counting).
 
What People Are Saying:
"Winning the first-ever Directors' Cup in WashU history is a trail-blazing achievement for our department. It reflects the collective success of all our programs, not just one team, and demonstrates sustained excellence across athletics. It validates the hard work of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and university leadership, while highlighting the culture of high standards, collaboration, and commitment that defines our department. Most importantly, it establishes a new benchmark for future generations and shows that WashU can compete and excel at the highest level across multiple sports." – Jim Conlon, Head Women's Soccer Coach
 
"This trophy is the result of countless early mornings, late nights, sacrifices, and shared victories across our entire department. To see our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and administrators rewarded with the highest honor in Division III athletics is incredibly meaningful. Today, we celebrate not only championships, but a university-wide commitment to excellence. This achievement belongs to so many people, and we're thankful for all those who helped pave the way and supported us throughout the journey." – Vanessa Walby, Head Volleyball Coach

"Winning the Director's Cup is an incredible achievement for our entire athletics department. It speaks volumes about the unwavering support we receive from the university and the strategic vision of our leadership. This is the direct result of the '19 sports, 1 team' ethos that is the backbone of WashU Athletics. We truly have something special!" – Pat Juckem, Head Men's Basketball Coach

"Winning the Director's Cup for the first time in school history is a tremendous achievement because it reflects excellence across our entire athletics department, not just one team. It shows the dedication of our scholar-champions, coaches, administration, staff, and supporters who have worked tirelessly to build a culture of success at WashU. We not only defended the standard, but we set a new one. It's a proud moment for our department but also for our university and a testament to what can be achieved when we're all on the same page." – Casey Cromwell, Head Softball Coach

"Winning the Directors Cup shows how truly aligned Women's Golf and the other 18 sports within WashU Athletics and WashU as a whole are. Our team strives for excellence and we give so much to our program and each other. This win validates the dedication and hard work we put into WashU Golf along with setting the standard for future Scholar-Champions!" – Dave Reinhardt, Head Women's Golf Coach
 
"The success of all 19 WashU sports programs this year is something truly remarkable. This fall, winter, and spring, our teams achieved excellence together, creating an overall sports season we will all look back on with pride for years to come." – Roger Follmer, Head Men's Tennis Coach
 
"Winning the Directors' Cup is an incredible accomplishment for our department. We are led by our amazing athletic director Anthony J. Azama and through his vision, this first-ever Directors' cup has gone to the WashU Bears!! Our program is proud to represent WashU and we will continue to do our part and strive for excellence both in the classroom and on the court. This accomplishment is huge for our program and for all those that have built the foundation of success at WashU!" – Lisa Stone, Head Women's Basketball Coach
 
"We have always felt like we had a special group of people in Athletics - now we can all collectively say that we have done something truly special as one TEAM and one FAMILY. I am filled with immense pride to be a part of the WashU community!" – Pat Bloom, Head Baseball Coach

""Winning the Directors' Cup is a testament to the excellent Scholar-Champions, coaches and leadership that are present at Washington University. Most importantly, the win demonstrates the commitment on the part of Washington University and our leadership to provide a championship experience for every one of our 19 sports. It is special to know that Washington University is one of the rare institutions that provides this opportunity!" – Aaron Keen, Head Football Coach
 
Top-10 LEARFIELD Directors' Cup Rankings:

1. WashU – 1,266.50
2. Tufts – 1,252.50
3. Johns Hopkins – 1,180.00
4. Emory -1,066.00
5. Williams – 1,063.75
6. Chicago – 1,045.50
7. NYU – 1,029.25
8. UW-La Crosse  987.00
9. Claremont-Mudd-Scripps – 888.25
10. Amherst – 863.75

 
About the Learfield Directors' Cup
The Directors' Cup is widely considered the ultimate measurement of overall athletic program success in collegiate sports. It 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 finish in NCAA Championships.
 
-------

Elevating scholar-champions requires resources beyond the institutional budget. Through the W Club, generous alumni, parents, and friends provide unrestricted support that is essential to the extraordinary WashU student-athlete experience—and the ongoing growth and development of the department. Annual support for Athletics allows the Bears to consistently rise to national levels of competition and ensures that our student-athletes enjoy exceptional opportunities as they train, compete, and lead. To make a gift to the Annual Fund for Athletics, please visit our secure online giving form or contact the Athletics Advancement Office at athletics@wustl.edu.