CLEVELAND, Ohio – Flagler College placed 32nd in the final NCAA Division II Learfield Directors' Cup final standings, which were released by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) on Tuesday.
The finish marks Flagler's best in the annual rankings since reclassifying to NCAA Division II. The ranking surpassed the previous high of 33rd achieved in 2024-25.
"I think the Learfield Directors' Cup is the best measurement there is of the overall strength of athletics departments, so I'm certainly pleased to see the continued improvement in our ranking," said Flagler Director of Athletics Jud Damon. "Our ranking is a great reflection on the entire institution because it takes a real team effort to achieve competitive success. Flagler's outstanding coaches and student-athletes, in particular, deserve much credit and recognition for this accomplishment."
The Learfield Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between NACDA and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.
Overall, 15 sports are counted in the final DII standings, four of which must be women's volleyball and basketball and men's basketball and baseball. The next highest (11 max) sports scored for each institution, regardless of gender, are used in the standings.
Flagler compiled a total of 484.00 points, 200 from fall sports and 284 from spring sports postseason appearances. 100 points came from Flagler's maiden NCAA DII national championship in men's tennis.
Women's lacrosse earned 65 points by virtue of advancing to the program's first Elite Eight. Men's soccer's thrilling run to the Sweet Sixteen picked up 64 points. Volleyball (50 points), women's tennis (50), and men's lacrosse (45) each won an NCAA postseason match.
Women's cross country (44) and men's cross country (42) qualified for the NCAA Division II National Championships, placing 30th and 32nd, respectively, while men's golf (19) and women's golf (5) rounded out Flagler's point scorers.
Flagler's 32nd-place finish was the best among Peach Belt Conference (PBC) member institutions. Lander (No. 43), Columbus State (63), and North Georgia (68) were the only other conference members to rank in the top 100.
Augusta (168), Georgia Southwestern State (192), USC Beaufort (220), and USCA (249) rounded out PBC institutions making an appearance.
This was also Flagler's fourth consecutive year finishing in the top 50. Flagler first cracked the top 50 in 2022-23 with a 41st-place finish. The Saints placed 47th in 2023-24 before jumping to No. 33 in 2024-25.
Grand Valley State claimed its 18th Learfield Directors' Cup after amassing 1,089.75 points and powered by national championships in women's basketball, women's cross country, and men's outdoor track and field. Wingate (892.50 points), Indianapolis (832.00), West Texas A&M (737.75), and Minnesota State (705.00) rounded out the top five.
