2021-22 Learfield Directors’ Cup NAIA Standings
SEWARD, Neb. – Winner of the 2021-22 GPAC All-Sports Trophy Championship, Concordia University Athletics has landed at No. 22 in the final 2021-22 Learfield Directors’ Cup NAIA Standings, as released on Thursday (June 9) by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Dating back to available data since 1996-97, Concordia has claimed 10 NAIA top 25 finishes in the Learfield Directors’ Cup Standings. Furthermore, the Bulldogs have placed in the top 25 in five of the past seven years in which the standings were calculated (standings were not published in 2019-20 due to COVID-19).
The point totals are based on national championships qualifications and national finishes. The Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup Standings are designed to “honor institutions that maintain a broad-based program, achieve success in many sports, both men's and women's, in which all sports that the NAIA offers a championship, and all student-athletes that compete in those sports, are treated equally.”
Bulldog Athletics, guided by Director of Athletics Devin Smith and Associate Director of Athletics Angela Muller, accumulated 489 points in the 2021-22 Directors’ Cup standings. Broken down by season, Concordia posted 73.0 points in the fall, 252.5 in the winter and 163.50 in the spring. Sports that contributed greatly to the point included baseball (NAIA opening round finalist), men’s basketball (national quarterfinalist), women’s track & field (placed third in the NAIA for indoor and fourth for outdoor) and volleyball (national quarterfinalist).
Based upon data going back to 1996-97, Concordia’s highest ever finish in the NAIA Directors’ Cup standings was ninth in 2004-05. From 2014-15 through 2016-17, Bulldog Athletics recorded three-straight top 20 placements. Concordia placed 14th nationally in 2020-21. The 2021-22 athletics season was highlighted by conference championships turned in by baseball (postseason), men’s basketball (regular season and postseason), women’s indoor track & field and women’s outdoor track & field. Bulldog athletes appeared at 10 separate national championship events.
2021-22 Accomplishments
· GPAC All-Sports Trophy Champions
· Five GPAC titles (including postseason)
· Appearances in 10 separate national championship events
· 13 CoSIDA Academic All-District award winners
· NAIA Scholar-Athletes and Scholar-Teams are yet to be announced
Concordia Learfield Cup finishes since 1997
2021-22: 22nd
2020-21: 14th
2019-20: No standings due to COVID-19
2018-19: 30th
2017-18: 45th
2016-17: 17th
2015-16: 16th
2014-15: 18th
2013-14: 29th
2012-13: 57th
2011-12: 34th
2010-11: 44th
2009-10: 27th
2008-09: 24th
2007-08: 39th
2006-07: 62nd
2005-06: 50th
2004-05: 9th
2003-04: 30th
2002-03: 12th
2001-02: 25th
2000-01: 34th
1999-00: 43rd
1998-99: 53rd
1997-98: 30th
1996-97: 16th