Sooner Surge: Oklahoma Finishes 9th in LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup in First Big 12 Exit Year, Signaling Athletic Dominance Across the Board
In a thunderous debut season transitioning out of the Big 12 and preparing for life in the SEC, the University of Oklahoma has stormed into national prominence with a 9th-place finish in the prestigious LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings — marking its highest finish in nearly a decade and a powerful statement about the university’s all-sport excellence.
The LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, which annually ranks NCAA Division I athletic programs based on performance across all sports, placed Oklahoma ahead of several blue-blood programs, including Notre Dame, USC, and Texas A&M. This 9th-place finish didn’t just reflect isolated success; it was the result of consistent, elite performances across a wide array of sports, highlighting the strength of the university’s athletic infrastructure in its final lap as a Big 12 member.
Leading the charge was the Oklahoma softball juggernaut, once again claiming the national championship under legendary head coach Patty Gasso. The Sooners dominated the Women’s College World Series, capturing their fourth straight title and contributing critical points to the Directors’ Cup standings. The team’s dynasty continued to serve as a cultural and competitive anchor for the university.
Men’s gymnastics also added a major boost, finishing as national runner-up and narrowly missing out on their 13th NCAA title. Meanwhile, Oklahoma’s women’s gymnastics squad secured a fourth-place finish at nationals, reinforcing the program’s dominance under head coach K.J. Kindler. Track and field, men’s and women’s golf, and women’s tennis all reached NCAA postseason play, with multiple athletes earning All-American honors.
Perhaps the biggest surprise came from the Sooners’ baseball program, which surged late in the season to reach the College World Series for the first time since 2022. That run brought new excitement to the program and showcased the depth of Oklahoma’s competitive prowess.
“Oklahoma has always prided itself on excellence, but this year, we proved we’re elite in more than just football and softball,” said athletic director Joe Castiglione. “This finish is a reflection of our coaches, our athletes, and the entire Sooner community. As we transition to the SEC, this sends a clear message—we’re not coming to compete in one or two sports. We’re coming to win in all of them.”
Equally important was the performance in traditionally under-the-radar sports. Women’s rowing and men’s wrestling each posted top-15
