As the fall season of college sports wraps up, the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings offer a snapshot of athletic excellence across the NCAA-and Syracuse is holding its own. The Orange currently sit at No. 22 in the nation with 198 points, thanks largely to standout performances in men’s cross country and women’s field hockey.
Let’s break that down.
The men’s cross-country squad delivered in a big way, finishing fourth nationally to bank 80 points. That kind of top-tier showing doesn’t happen by accident-it’s the result of depth, consistency, and a team that knows how to peak when it matters most.
Meanwhile, the field hockey team made a strong postseason push of their own, reaching the NCAA quarterfinals and adding 65 points to the tally. That’s a testament to a program that continues to punch above its weight on the national stage.
Individually, Selma Anderson chipped in 28 points with her NCAA cross-country appearance, and the men’s soccer team added 25 points after earning a spot in the NCAA tournament. Altogether, it’s a balanced effort across several sports that’s keeping Syracuse in the national conversation.
At the top of the leaderboard, North Carolina leads the pack with 359 points, showing strength across the board-just not in football. Stanford, a perennial powerhouse in the Directors’ Cup, is close behind with 346.50 points. Virginia (281.00), Princeton (265.00), and BYU (245.00) round out the top five, each flexing their multi-sport muscle.
For Syracuse, the road ahead will depend heavily on how the winter and spring teams perform. Women’s basketball and track and field will need to carry the torch this winter, and there’s cautious optimism that the spring sports-particularly lacrosse-can rise to the occasion. If those programs meet expectations, there’s a real shot at keeping the Orange in the top 25 when the final standings come out.
The Directors’ Cup isn’t just about winning titles-it’s a reflection of a department’s overall health and competitiveness. And right now, Syracuse is showing it belongs in that national mix.