In the recently announced final standings for the 2023-24 Learfield Directors’ Cup in NCAA Division III, Gustavus Adolphus College proudly claimed 70th place among 322 participating institutions. The college’s athletic teams demonstrated strong performances, with seven squads advancing to the NCAA postseason and collectively amassing 274.5 points. Johns Hopkins topped the charts with 1117.5 points.
Leading the charge for Gustavus, the women’s hockey team contributed significantly by earning 60 points after advancing to the NCAA quarterfinals. Similarly, the men’s soccer, volleyball, and men’s tennis teams each earned 50 points from second-round finishes. Additionally, both men’s and women’s basketball teams added 25 points each by securing the 33rd position overall. The women’s track & field team also contributed with 14.5 points from a 57th place finish at the indoor championship.
Regionally, Gustavus was ranked fourth in the MIAC and 13th among institutions in the states of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, and Nebraska. In the MIAC, Bethel led with 389 points, while St. Olaf and Carleton also posted strong performances. Notably, Gustavus was unique in competing in seven distinct postseason tournaments, a feat unmatched by any other school in the country.
The Directors’ Cup, which started in the 1995-96 academic year, evaluates schools based on their performances across 18 sports, with mandatory inclusion of men’s and women’s soccer and basketball. Points are awarded based on each school’s finish in NCAA Championships, fostering a competitive spirit across Division III institutions.
Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings
Last 10 years of Directors’ Cup results:
| Year | Fall | Winter | Final | MIAC Finish | Regional Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | 50th (100 points) | 49th (224.5 points) | 70th (274.5 points) | 4th | 13th |
| 2022-23 | 47th (123 points) | 23rd (380 points) | 30th (520.5 points) | 1st | 8th |
| 2021-22 | 97th (50 points) | 39th (267 points) | 38th (456 points) | 1st | 10th |
| 2020-21 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2019-20 | 81st (50 points) | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2018-19 | 101st (50 points) | 79th (139 points) | 81st (245 points) | 3rd | 21st |
| 2017-18 | 71st (73 points) | 40th (270.5 points) | 43rd (384.5 points) | 2nd | 14th |
| 2016-17 | 100th (50 points) | 52nd (202 points) | 53rd (339 points) | 2nd | 13th |
| 2015-16 | 104th (50 points) | 150th (72 points) | 105th (186 points) | 6th | 28th |
| 2014-15 | 94th (50 points) | 97th (117.5 points) | 87th (206.5 points) | 4th | 27th |
| 2013-14 | 105th (50 points) | 73rd (151.5 points) | 93rd (215.5 points) | 4th | 25th |