SEWARD, Neb. – Another memorable year for Concordia University athletics resulted in the third-highest Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup NAIA placement ever for the institution. In the final 2015-16 NAIA standings released on Tuesday, Concordia checked in at No. 16, marking a two-spot jump from the school’s historic 2014-15 athletic year. Bulldog sports racked up a total of 494.75 points throughout 2015-16.
The 16th place finishes trails only 2004-05 (9th) and 2002-03 (12th) for top Learfield Cup Standings finishes in Concordia University’s history (data goes back to 1996-97). Since 2012-13 (57th), Concordia has steadily risen up the NAIA ladder, finishing inside the top 30 for a third-straight year.
A total of 190 NAIA schools registered in the standings that 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.” The Learfield Directors' Cup is awarded annually to the nation's best overall collegiate athletics program.
Significant 2015-16 team accomplishments for Concordia included:
- Women’s outdoor track and field national title
- Men’s outdoor track and field national runner up
- GPAC All-Sports Trophy runner up
- First-ever national tournament appearances for men’s soccer and volleyball
- GPAC titles for men’s soccer (postseason) and wrestling (dual and tournament)
- GPAC tournament runner-up claims by women’s soccer and volleyball
- Additional top 25 national finishes:
- Men’s indoor track and field – 3rd
- Women’s indoor track and field – 5th
- Wrestling – 8th
- Women’s basketball – 19th
- Volleyball – 22nd
- 92 NAIA Scholar-Athletes
According to the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup formula, Concordia scored out best during the winter season with 254.75 points. The Bulldogs totaled 190.0 points in the spring and 50.0 in the fall.
Concordia Learfield Cup finishes since 1997
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
GPAC schools in 2014-15 Learfield standings
10. Morningside – 569.50
18. Concordia – 494.75
21. Doane – 435.25
31. Hastings – 348.50
34. Briar Cliff – 340.25
66. Dordt – 216.0
72. Dakota Wesleyan – 189.50
83. Midland – 167.50
90. Northwestern – 153.50
119. Mount Marty – 107.0
170. College of Saint Mary – 36.0
172. Nebraska Wesleyan – 25.0