ACC Shines Bright: Six Schools Among Top 25 in Final LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup Standings
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) continues to showcase its prowess in collegiate athletics, finishing with six schools ranked in the top 25 of the final Division I LEARFIELD College Directors’ Cup standings, including an impressive three in the top 10. This remarkable achievement highlights the dedication and talent of ACC student-athletes across various sports.
A Historic Performance
The ACC has made history yet again: this marks the 23rd consecutive year with four or more schools finishing among the top 30 in the final standings. Notably, North Carolina and Virginia have consistently secured their spots in the top 30 throughout the entire 30-year history of the Directors’ Cup.
The Elite Standing of ACC Schools
For the 2022-23 academic year, every ACC program landed in the top 75, a feat accomplished only by the ACC and SEC conferences this year. It’s worth mentioning that this is the second time in the past decade that all ACC teams have made the top 75, the first being during the 2020-21 season.
Voice of Experience
Reflecting on this extraordinary performance, ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. stated, “The final LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings again show off the tremendous achievements of our student-athletes, coaches, and programs. With six team national championships and over two dozen individual national titles, the ACC has much to be proud of, both athletically and academically.”
A Championship Legacy
The ACC’s trend of excellence continues as they secured six national titles this year. These championships include:
- North Carolina: Women’s Soccer
- Virginia: Women’s Swimming & Diving
- Notre Dame: Fencing
- Wake Forest: Men’s Tennis
- North Carolina: Women’s Lacrosse
- Stanford: Rowing (note: ACC athletes competed)
Over the last four seasons, the ACC has amassed a total of 29 national championships in league-sponsored sports, tying it as the leading conference in this regard.
Top Finishes and Points of Interest
Stanford emerged as the overall champion with 1,251 points, just 4.25 points shy of Texas, the Directors’ Cup champions. Meanwhile, North Carolina secured a commendable fourth place finish with 1,195.25 points, bolstered by its standout performances in women’s soccer and lacrosse.
The rankings for other notable ACC teams are as follows:
- Duke: 10th place with 1,010 points
- Virginia: 12th place
- NC State: 20th place
- California: 24th place
- Florida State: 28th place
Meanwhile, 12 ACC institutions made it into the top 50 this year, reinforcing the conference’s dominance in collegiate athletics.
A Broader Perspective on ACC Sports
Currently, the ACC sponsors 28 NCAA sports—15 for women and 13 for men—with the recent addition of women’s gymnastics for the 2023-24 academic year. Notably, no Autonomy Five conference supports more than 28 sports, nor does any peer conference offer more than 15 women’s sports.
Understanding the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup
The LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup was established through a partnership between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s performance in NCAA Championships across a variety of sports. The standings culminate from 19 total sports—including five core sports and the next highest 14 regardless of gender.
For a detailed look at standings and scoring structure, visit the official Directors’ Cup website, and keep up with updates by following them on Twitter @ldirectorscup.
About ACC
The Atlantic Coast Conference ranks as one of the most competitive intercollegiate leagues nationally, with 18 member institutions committed to academic and athletic excellence. The ACC supports a diverse range of 28 NCAA sports and recently partnered with ESPN to launch the ACC Network, devoted exclusively to ACC sports.
For more information, visit theACC.com and follow ACC on social media for the latest updates.
About LEARFIELD
Learfield is the driving force behind college athletics across the nation, leveraging technology and media to enhance fan engagement. As the title sponsor for the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup since 2008, Learfield continues to support athletic departments at all levels of collegiate competition.
In summary, the ACC’s outstanding performance in the final LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings not only reflects the commitment of its institutions to athletic excellence but also sets a high bar for the upcoming academic year and beyond. As fans, we eagerly await what the future holds for these talented athletes and teams!
