General | 6/12/2024 9:58:54 AM
St. John Fisher University, Utica University, Elmira College, Nazareth University, Alfred University, Hartwick College and Houghton University represented the Empire 8 Conference in the final 2023-24 LEARFIELD Directors' Cup Standings. A total of 323 Division III institutions were represented throughout the academic year.
The LEARFIELD Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and
USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.
St. John Fisher, the 2023-24 Empire 8 Commissioner's Cup Champions, used an excellent spring season to finish 58th nationally with 312.5 points. The Cardinals scored 229.5 points during the spring, as baseball, softball, men's golf and men’s and women’s lacrosse competed in the NCAA Tournament. St. John Fisher won five Empire 8 Championship titles during the spring season.
The Cardinals won their third straight Empire 8 Women's Basketball Championship and advanced to the second round of the 2024 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament. In addition, Alex Samson of the men's wrestling team earned All-American honors by placing seventh overall at 141 pounds.
Utica recorded 210 points to place 95th in Division III. Utica's multiple-time All-American Jane Fahy claimed runner-up honors in the shot put, earning points for the women's indoor track and field team, and was third overall in the same event at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. In addition, Justin Swavely nabbed All-American accolades in the javelin throw at the 2024 NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Utica's men's basketball team claimed the 2023-24 Empire 8 Championship and competed in the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament, while the men's hockey team advanced to the 2024 NCAA Division III National Semifinals.
Elmira finished 114th nationally with 175 points, with 150 points coming during the winter season. The Soaring Eagles won its first Empire 8 men's soccer crown and competed in the 2023 NCAA Division III Men's Soccer Championships in the fall and enjoyed tremendous success from both of its hockey teams. The men advanced to the NCAA Quarterfinals, while Elmira's women's hockey program made a run to the 2024 NCAA Division III Championship game, finishing as national runners-up.
Nazareth placed 180th nationally with 95.5 points. The Golden Flyers won the 2023 Empire 8 Women's Soccer Championship and competed at the NCAA Tournament, had its women's hockey team earn its third straight berth into the NCAA Division III Ice Hockey Championship Tournament and recieved an All-American performance in the pool from diver Alexa Rizzo, who placed third overall in the 1-meter diving event at the 2024 NCAA Championships.
Alfred recorded 50 points on the season, moving into 240th place overall. Alfred claimed its first Empire 8 women's volleyball championship in program history and was the league's representative at the 2023 NCAA Division III Women's Volleyball Championships. The Saxons also won the 2023 Empire 8 Women's Tennis Championship and represented the league at the 2024 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
Hartwick and Houghton tied for 285th nationally with 25 points apiece. Hartwick won its second straight E8 title and competed in the 2023 NCAA Division III Field Hockey Championships. Houghton claimed its third E8 Men's Tennis Championship in the last four seasons and was in action at the 2024 NCAA Division III Men's Tennis Tournament.
SUNY Cortland, who competes primarily as a member of the SUNYAC, was the Empire 8 Champion in football and won the 2023 Stagg Bowl and were crowned NCAA Champions on Dec. 15, 2023. The Red Dragons finished 28th overall with 522.5 points.
SUNY Geneseo, SUNY Brockport and SUNY Poly, who will be joining the E8 in 2024-25, also earned points in the Learfield Director's Cup standings. Geneseo finished 34th nationally with 416 points, while Brockport recorded 122.5 points to place 152nd. SUNY Poly of the North Atlantic Conference placed tied for 240th with 50 points.
Please note, standings published midseason are unofficial. Official standings will be published upon the completion of the spring season. Complete standings and the scoring structure can be found on NACDA's website at
www.directorscup.org. In addition, please visit
www.thedirectorscup.com and follow us on Twitter
@ldirectorscup.
About LEARFIELD: LEARFIELD is a leading media and technology services company in intercollegiate athletics. The company unlocks the value of college sports for brands and fans through an omnichannel platform with innovative content and commerce solutions. LEARFIELD services includes licensing and multimedia sponsorship management; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics; ticketing, ticket sales and professional concessions expertise; branding; campus-wide business and sponsorship development; and venue technology systems. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed LEARFIELD Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.
ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit
www.empire8.com.
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