BYU Cracks Directors’ Cup Top 25 for Second Time Since 2021, Signaling Sustained Athletic Excellence
Brigham Young University continues to make waves in the national collegiate athletic landscape, earning a top-25 finish in the prestigious LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings for just the second time since 2021. The Cougars’ overall athletic performance in the 2024–25 academic year underscores the university’s growing reputation as a competitive force across a wide range of NCAA sports.
The LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup is an annual ranking that evaluates the overall success of collegiate athletic departments based on performances in NCAA postseason competition. With a 23rd-place finish, BYU has proven once again that its athletic prowess extends well beyond football and basketball, encompassing Olympic sports like track and field, cross country, women’s soccer, volleyball, and gymnastics.
This marks another milestone in BYU’s transition to Power Five competition. Since officially joining the Big 12 Conference in 2023, Cougar athletics have embraced a higher level of competition and visibility. BYU’s success this year suggests the move is already paying dividends. The school scored points in multiple high-profile and Olympic sports, showing depth and consistency in its athletic programs.
Leading the charge was BYU women’s soccer, which made an impressive NCAA Tournament run, helping the Cougars earn significant points in the standings. The men’s and women’s cross country teams also delivered high national finishes, a hallmark of BYU’s tradition of distance running excellence. The women’s volleyball and men’s track and field teams added strong postseason results, further boosting the university’s cumulative score.
“This is a reflection of the total team effort from all of our student-athletes, coaches, and support staff,” said BYU Athletic Director Tom Holmoe. “We are proud of the way our teams represent the university on and off the field. Finishing in the top 25 of the Directors’ Cup is a tangible sign of the progress we’ve made as a department.”
The Cougars’ 23rd-place finish places them among some of the nation’s athletic heavyweights, including traditional powerhouses like Stanford, Texas, and Florida. It also represents the second time since 2021 that BYU has reached such heights in the standings, reinforcing that the previous top-25 finish was no fluke. Instead, it appears to be part of a larger trend toward sustained national competitiveness.
Perhaps more impressive is that BYU continues to perform at a high level while balancing its unique institutional mission and values. Student-athletes at BYU navigate demanding academic schedules and strict honor code expectations, which makes their competitive success all the more remarkable.
Looking ahead, BYU fans have plenty of reason for optimism. With upgraded facilities, Big 12-level recruiting resources, and a strong culture of athletic development, the Cougars appear poised to remain a mainstay in national rankings for years to come.
As the athletic department sets its sights on future goals, BYU’s top-25 Directors’ Cup finish serves as a statement: the Cougars are not just adjusting to the Power Five—they’re thriving in it.
