SEWARD, Neb. – As announced on Thursday (June 6), Concordia University placed 30th in the final 2018-19 Learfield IMG College Directors’ Cup NAIA Standings. That placement is 15 spots higher than the 45th place finish posted by the Bulldogs in 2017-18. In the Learfield calculation, Concordia concluded 2018-19 with 441.5 points.
The point totals are based on national championships qualifications and national finishes. The Learfield 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.”
Concordia got a major boost in the standings from the national championship won by head coach Drew Olson’s women’s basketball program. In addition, the Bulldogs made a late move up the standings thanks to national championships appearances by the baseball and track and field programs this spring. The women’s track and field team placed fifth at the outdoor national championships with the help of individual national titles from Samantha Liermann and Addie Shaw.
Concordia athletics has now placed in the top 30 nationally in the Learfield Cup Standings in five of the past six years. Based upon data going back to 1999-2000, Concordia’s highest ever finish in the NAIA standings was ninth in 2004-05. Prior to 2017-18, the Bulldogs put together a run of three-straight years with top 20 placements. In addition, Concordia came in at No. 2 in the final 2018-19 GPAC All-Sports Trophy Standings and broke a school record with 117 NAIA Scholar-Athletes.
2018-19 Accomplishments
- 30th in Learfield Cup NAIA Standings
- 2nd in GPAC All-Sports Trophy Standings
- 117 NAIA Scholar-Athletes (most in school history)
- Women’s basketball national championship
- Six GPAC titles (including postseason)
- Track & Field: three NAIA top 10 finishes
Concordia Learfield Cup finishes since 1997
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