SEWARD, Neb. – As announced on Friday (July 2), Concordia University Athletics placed 14th in the final 2020-21 Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup NAIA Standings. That placement represents the Bulldogs’ highest national finish in the Directors’ Cup since coming in at No. 9 in 2004-05. As a department, Concordia has finished in the top 20 of the NAIA in four of the past six 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 556 points in the Directors’ Cup standings. Broken down by season, Concordia posted 78.0 points in the fall, 258.5 in the winter and 219.5 in the spring. Sports that contributed greatly to the point included baseball (NAIA World Series qualifier), women’s basketball (national quarterfinalist), women’s track & field (placed third in the NAIA for indoor/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. In addition to landing at No. 14 this past athletic year, Concordia also placed second in the GPAC All-Sports Trophy Standings, qualified teams/athletes for nine different national championship events, won six GPAC titles and is on track to garner more than 200 NAIA Scholar-Athlete awards.
2020-21 Accomplishments
· 14th in Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup NAIA Standings
· 2nd in GPAC All-Sports Trophy Standings
· > 200 NAIA Scholar-Athletes
· Six GPAC titles (including postseason)
· Appearances in nine separate national championship events
Concordia Learfield Cup finishes since 1997
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