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Iowa Vaults to 13th in Learfield Cup Standings

by Matt Weitzel

IOWA CITY, Iowa -- The University of Iowa has climbed into 13th place in the 2025-26 Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup competition, according to a report released Thursday that includes points scored as a result of participation in NCAA fall and winter championships.

The Hawkeyes have accumulated 541.50 points as a result of successful participation in NCAA postseason competition in nine sports to date -- field hockey, football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, men’s indoor track & field, women’s indoor track & field, women’s soccer, men’s wrestling and women’s wrestling. The 541.50 points are Iowa's third highest point total in the history of the Directors' Cup with spring results still to come.

Iowa also ranked 13th in the 2021 Learfield Cup winter standings with 539.50 points.

The nine sports represent an 80 percent increase over a year ago when the UI had five teams score points in fall or winter NCAA championships.

“I am proud for our student-athletes, coaches, staff and Hawkeye supporters. The Learfield Directors’ Cup is one measure of success, but it only begins to reflect the daily commitment, collaboration and competitive excellence happening across our department and campus. Our teams and staff work relentlessly to achieve at the highest level and deliver unforgettable experiences for our fans. We appreciate the accomplishments, celebrate them together and remain focused on what’s next.”

Beth Goetz, the Henry B. and Patricia B. Tippie Director of Athletics Chair

Iowa currently ranks fourth among its 18 Big Ten Conference peers. Ohio State is ranked fifth nationally (664 points), followed by Penn State in sixth (645 points) and Michigan (624 points).

The UI scored 389.50 points during the 2025-26 winter sports championship season. The Hawkeyes were paced by men’s wrestling scoring 90 points off its fourth place finish at the national championships, 80 points from women’s wrestling’s runner-up finish at the national championships, 73 points as a result of men’s basketball advancing to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championship for the first time in 39 years, 67.5 points earned by men’s indoor track & field, 50 points as a result of women’s basketball advancing to the Round of 32 of the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Championship, and 29 points earned by women’s indoor track & field.

This season marks the fifth time in the 32-year history of the Directors’ Cup that the UI has amassed more than 500 points. Iowa’s highest finish (26th) and all-time high in points (658.50) came in 1994-95 and 2020-21, respectively.

The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup is a program that honors institutions maintaining broad-based intercollegiate athletics programs. Introduced in 1993-94 for Division I programs by the National Association of College Directors of Athletics and USA Today. It was expanded in 1995-96 to include NCAA Division II, III, and the NAIA. Each NCAA Division I institution is awarded points for performances in NCAA championship competition by up to 20 teams, 10 men’s and 10 women’s. The overall champion is the institution that records the highest number of points.

The final standings for the 2025-26 Learfield Cup will be released in late June after the conclusion of the 2026 College World Series.

For more information and to review the current standings, visit directorscup.org.