ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: BYU Cracks Directors’ Cup Top 25 for Second Time Since 2021, Signaling Sustained Athletic Excellence
PROVO, Utah — For the second time since their impressive debut in 2021, BYU has cracked the Top 25 in the final LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings, a prestigious marker of overall athletic excellence across NCAA Division I programs. With a final placement at No. 23, BYU not only reaffirmed its status as an all-sport powerhouse but also sent a clear message to its Big 12 rivals: the Cougars have arrived—and they’re here to stay.
The Directors’ Cup rankings, determined by cumulative postseason performance across all varsity sports, represent a comprehensive measure of collegiate athletic success. BYU’s latest finish is not just a number; it’s the culmination of years of calculated investment, elite coaching hires, athlete development, and a uniquely powerful culture built on unity, discipline, and purpose.
The Numbers Behind the Rise
This year, BYU earned major points in key sports:
Women’s Soccer: A Final Four run that included a dramatic penalty shootout win over UNC drew national headlines and a top-three finish.
Women’s Volleyball: Powered by All-American outside hitter Erin Livingston, the Cougars advanced to the NCAA quarterfinals before falling to eventual champion Texas.
Men’s Cross Country: A top-five finish at nationals, led by junior standout Cole Sargent, marked BYU’s sixth straight year as a top-tier distance program.
Gymnastics and Women’s Golf: Both programs reached the NCAA Championships for the second consecutive season, adding critical points to BYU’s Directors’ Cup total.
Football, while not a major points contributor this year, laid the groundwork for future success with a bowl appearance in its first full Big 12 season. The foundation is strong, the recruiting pipeline is thriving, and expectations are rising under second-year head coach Kalani Sitake.
Institutional Commitment and Coaching Continuity
What separates BYU from many of its peers is consistency. Athletic Director Tom Holmoe, now in his 19th year, has built a culture that values both excellence and stability. “The Directors’ Cup is not just about trophies—it’s about depth, balance, and commitment to every sport,” Holmoe said in a press release. “Cracking the Top 25 again shows that BYU athletes and coaches are thriving across the board.”
Crucially, BYU has retained its core coaching leaders—Mark Pope in men’s basketball, Jennifer Rockwood in women’s soccer, Diljeet Taylor in cross country—despite aggressive poaching from Power Five schools.
Big 12 Footprint, National Reach
Entering its second year in the Big 12, BYU has fully embraced the challenge of a Power Conference lifestyle. The jump in competition has sharpened every program’s edge—and elevated national recognition. TV ratings, recruiting visibility, and fan engagement are all surging.
“This is just the beginning,” said BYU President C. Shane Reese. “The Top 25 shows what’s possible when faith, discipline, and ambition meet. It’s not just about wins—it’s about doing things the right way, at the highest level.”
The Legacy Ahead
In 2021, BYU’s No. 17 finish shocked many observers and set a new benchmark for non-traditional Power Five programs. Now, with another Top 25 ranking in 2025, the Cougars have proven that success wasn’t a flash in the pan—it’s the start of a new era.
As BYU looks ahead to a future packed with high-level competition, expanded facilities, and increased national attention, one thing is clear: the Cougars are no longer the underdog. They’re an established force—and the rest of the Big
