Gaels Earn More National Recognition in Learfield Directors' Cup Final Standings
6/30/2026 10:00:00 AM | General
CLEVELAND — The rise of Saint Mary's Athletics continues to generate significant national recognition with the Gaels earning their best finish in the Learfield Directors' Cup in 13 years.
Saint Mary's, who reached NCAA regional finals in baseball (50 points) and softball (50), earned a single digit seed in the NCAA Tournament in men's basketball (25) in 2026 and also qualified as a team for a men's golf (22) NCAA Regional, earned 147 total points to rank third in the WCC and 115th overall in the nation in the final 2025-26 Learfield Director's standings.
The finish matched the Gaels' best since the 2012-13 academic year, when they also finished third amongst WCC programs and 113th overall.
The Learfield Director's Cup is a program that honors institutions maintaining a broad-based program, achieving success in many sports, both men's and women's. Each institution is awarded points in a pre-determined number of sports for men and women. The overall champion is the institution that records the highest number of points in their division's Directors' Cup standings.
A Snapshot of Saint Mary's Athletics' Success in 2025-26
#GaelsRise
Saint Mary's, who reached NCAA regional finals in baseball (50 points) and softball (50), earned a single digit seed in the NCAA Tournament in men's basketball (25) in 2026 and also qualified as a team for a men's golf (22) NCAA Regional, earned 147 total points to rank third in the WCC and 115th overall in the nation in the final 2025-26 Learfield Director's standings.
The finish matched the Gaels' best since the 2012-13 academic year, when they also finished third amongst WCC programs and 113th overall.
The Learfield Director's Cup is a program that honors institutions maintaining a broad-based program, achieving success in many sports, both men's and women's. Each institution is awarded points in a pre-determined number of sports for men and women. The overall champion is the institution that records the highest number of points in their division's Directors' Cup standings.
A Snapshot of Saint Mary's Athletics' Success in 2025-26
- Saint Mary's was one of 14 schools to compete in a NCAA Regional Championship game in both baseball and softball in 2026 (only non-Power program).
- Saint Mary's Men's Basketball earned a single digit seed in the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight season.
- Saint Mary's Baseball finished the season ranked No. 20 overall, per Perfect Game.
- Saint Mary's Softball finished the season ranked as the No. 1 mid-major program in the country and No. 24 overall, per D1Softball.
- The 147 points mark the fifth time in department history that the Gaels have reached triple digit points since the inaugural season of the Director's Cup in 1993-94, and the third highest total.
- The third place finish in the WCC is tied for the second best finish by the Gaels, while the 115th place finish overall ranks fourth best in the history of the award.
#GaelsRise
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