Spartans Finish Sixth Nationally in Final Learfield Directors' Cup Standings

TAMPA, Fla. – The University of Tampa capped another remarkable year of athletic success by finishing sixth nationally in the final 2025-26 Learfield Directors' Cup Division II standings, as announced by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA). Tampa accumulated 704.75 points to secure its highest national finish since 2024-25 and rank among the nation's elite NCAA Division II athletic programs.

The sixth-place finish marks the Spartans' fourth consecutive top-10 national finish, following ninth-place in 2022-23, fifth-place in 2023-24, fifth-place in 2024-25, and sixth-place in 2025-26. It also represents the third-best finish in program history, trailing only fifth-place national finishes in 2007-08, 2023-24, and 2024-25.

Tampa's rise throughout the year was one of the most impressive in Division II. The Spartans were ranked 34th nationally following the fall season with 132.00 points before climbing to 17th after the winter championships with 322.00 points. A dominant spring season propelled Tampa into the national top 10 and ultimately to a sixth-place finish.

The Spartans finished as the highest-ranked institution from the Sunshine State Conference and one of only six NCAA Division II schools to surpass the 700-point mark in the final standings. Grand Valley State claimed the national title with 1,089.75 points, followed by Wingate (892.50), Indianapolis (832.00), West Texas A&M (737.75), Minnesota State (705.00), and Tampa (704.75).

Tampa's success was fueled by national championships in baseball and men's lacrosse, along with NCAA Division II runner-up finishes by women's swimming and a national quarterfinalist finish for women's lacrosse. The Spartan baseball program captured its unprecedented third consecutive NCAA Division II national championship and 11th overall national title, while men's lacrosse secured the program's second NCAA Division II national championship.

The Spartans accumulated 382.75 points during the spring season alone, ranking among the nation's best spring performers. Tampa received the maximum 100 points for winning the NCAA Division II Baseball Championship and another 100 points for capturing the NCAA Division II Men's Lacrosse Championship. Additional scoring came from men's swimming (90 points), women's golf (73 points), women's lacrosse (73 points), softball (50 points), women's tennis (45 points), women's volleyball (83 points), and women's swimming (100 points).

The foundation for Tampa's climb began in the fall, when the Spartans earned 132 points and sat 34th nationally. Women's volleyball led the way with an NCAA semifinal appearance and 83 Directors' Cup points.

The winter season brought a significant leap in the standings as Tampa surged to 17th nationally. Men's swimming won the NCAA Division II national championship while women's swimming finished as national runner-up, generating 190 winter points and positioning the Spartans for a strong spring push.

By season's end, Tampa had climbed 28 positions from its fall standing and 11 spots from its winter ranking, showcasing the breadth and consistency of success across the department's championship-caliber programs.

The Learfield Directors' Cup recognizes overall athletic department excellence and is awarded annually by NACDA. In NCAA Division II, points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships. Fifteen sports are counted in the final standings, including the required sports of men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, and volleyball, along with the institution's next-highest-scoring sports regardless of gender.

Tampa's Rise Through the 2025-26 Directors' Cup Standings

Sustained National Excellence

The 2025-26 season continued the most successful stretch of all-sport achievement in University of Tampa history. The Spartans have now finished among the nation's top 10 athletic departments in four consecutive Learfield Directors' Cup final standings, a first for the program.

Since the return of full competition following the COVID-19 pandemic, Tampa has recorded final national finishes of 14th (2021-22), ninth (2022-23), fifth (2023-24), fifth (2024-25), and sixth (2025-26). The Spartans have also finished in the national top 15 in seven of the last eight completed Directors' Cup seasons dating back to 2018-19.

Notes

• Sixth place in 2025-26 is tied for the fourth-highest final finish in program history.
• Tampa has recorded four consecutive top-10 national finishes for the first time in school history.
• The Spartans have finished in the national top 15 in seven of the last eight completed Directors' Cup seasons.
• Tampa finished as the highest-ranked Sunshine State Conference institution in the final 2025-26 standings.

University of Tampa Learfield Directors' Cup Historical Standings