CLEVELAND --- Minnesota State athletics has finished the 2025-26 season in fifth place amongst NCAA Division II schools for the Learfield Directors' Cup. The standings measure the performance among athletic programs across the nation, with points being awarded based on NCAA postseason appearances.

"Finishing among the top five athletic departments in the nation is a reflection of the tremendous commitment of our student-athletes, coaches and staff who all work together to make this possible," Director of Athletics Kevin Buisman said. "The Learfield Directors' Cup recognizes broad-based excellence across an entire department and this accomplishment reflects the breadth and depth of competitive success we are able to achieve collectively. In today's rapidly changing intercollegiate landscape, I am especially proud of the way our programs have remained focused on consistently pursuing excellence in the classroom, in competition and in the community. These types of outcomes spotlight everyone who plays a role in supporting our student-athletes and helping them succeed at the highest level."
 
The Mavericks tallied 705 points to finish in the top-25 for the 24th time in the 29-year history of the Directors' Cup program. MSU has finished in the top-10 in in the last five seasons and its fifth-place finish is the best since the 2015-16 season when the Mavericks finished in fifth place.

Grand Valley State topped the Division II standings with 1,089.75 points. Wingate followed in second place with 892.5 points, with Indianapolis recording 832 points to finish in third. West Texas A&M notched 737.75 points to take fourth place.

Minnesota State was the highest-ranked NSIC team in the Director's Cup standings. In total, 12 NSIC teams recorded points in the standings, including Augustana (53rd, 348.5), St. Cloud State (59th, 327.5), Minnesota Duluth (87th, 247) and Concordia-St. Paul (91st, 234.5).

The Mavericks recorded 231.25 points in the spring season as four teams reached the NCAA postseason. Men's outdoor track and field earned 80 points as it finished fourth at the NCAA Championships, while the women's outdoor track and field team claimed 69.3 points with an eighth-place finish. The women's golf team finished 17th at the NCAA Championships to earn 57 points, while the baseball team earned 25 points as it finished 42nd.

Top Learfield Director's Cup Finishes – Minnesota State
2nd – 2008-09
3rd – 2007-08
4th – 2006-07, 2009-10, 2012-13
5th – 2014-15, 2015-16, 2025-26
6th – 2024-25
8th – 2005-06, 2016-17, 2022-23
9th – 2023-24
10th – 2004-05, 2021-22
11th – 2017-18
13th – 2010-11
15th – 2013-14
16th – 1995-96
20th – 2003-04
21st – 2011-12
22nd – 2002-03
23rd – 2001-02
24th – 2018-19
 
Learfield Sports Directors' Cup General Information
A program that honors institutions maintaining a broad-based program, the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup honors those programs achieving success in many sports, both men's and women's. Began in 1993-94 for Division I by NACDA and USA Today, it was expanded in 1995-96 to include Division II, III and the NAIA. Each institution is awarded points in a predetermined number of sports for men and women. The overall champion is the institution that records the highest number of points in their division's Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings.