General | 4/2/2026 10:00:00 AM
SUNY Geneseo, Nazareth University, Elmira College, St. John Fisher University, Utica University, Keuka College and SUNY Brockport represented the Empire 8 Conference in the final Winter 2025-26 LEARFIELD Directors' Cup Standings. A total of 271 Division III institutions were represented as of the end of the winter season. Updated standings will be announced after the winter sports season is concluded.
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.
SUNY Geneseo has ascended to 13th nationally after the winter season with 462 points. The Knights won Empire 8 Championships in men's cross country, women's cross country, field hockey and men's soccer during the fall and added men's indoor track and field, women's indoor track and field, men's swimming and diving, women's swimming and diving and women's basketball titles.
Geneseo's men's distance medley relay team won the national title in the 2026 NCAA Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships on March 13. Both the Geneseo men's indoor and women's indoor track and field squads placed seventh overall as a team at nationals. The Knights had a host of All-Americans during the winter season at the indoor track and field and swimming and diving championships, while the women's basketball team advanced to the opening round of the NCAA Tournament. During the fall, Geneseo placed second overall at the 2025 NCAA Men's Cross Country Championship.
Nazareth University jumped into 118th place nationally with 90 points after its women's ice hockey team made an historic run, finishing as 2026 NCAA DIvision III Women's Ice Hockey Championship runners-up, advancing to the title game and finishing the season with a 27-2-1 record. The Golden Flyers became the first team to ever rally from a three-goal deficit in the NCAA Division III Women's Hockey Tournament, defeating Norwich University, 5-4 in overtime in the semifinals.
Elmira College also enjoyed a tremendous winter season, earning 77 points from its women's ice hockey and women's wrestling teams to enter the Directors' Cup standings in 128th place. The Soaring Eagles won its fifth United Collegiate Hockey Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA National Quarterfinals, while the women's wrestling team made its first appearance in the NCAA Championships, placing 44th at nationals.
St. John Fisher won Empire 8 Championships in women's soccer and women's volleyball during the fall and competed in the NCAA Championship Tournament in both sports. St. John Fisher is 130th nationally with 75 points following the winter season.
Utica University moved into 159th place nationally with 60 points after its men's hockey team won its sixth United Collegiate Hockey Conference Championship and advanced to the NCAA National Quarterfinals.
Keuka College enters the Directors' Cup standings with 25 points after its men's basketball team won the 2026 Empire 8 Championship in dramatic fashion, winning three tournament games on the road and becoming the first No. 7 seed to win an E8 title. In addition, the Wolves took defending national champion Trinity College to the wire in the opening round of the 2026 NCAA DIvision III Men's Basketball Tournament, holding a 10-point lead in the second half before the Bantams rallied to win.
SUNY Brockport has entered the Director's Cup standings with 21 points after finishing tied for 51st at the NCAA Men's Indoor Track and Field Championships.
Hartwick College won the 2025 Empire 8 Women's Tennis Championship and will compete in the NCAA Championship Tournament in May, 2026 to earn Director's Cup 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.