CPP Athletics Sets Department Record With No. 4 Ranking in Learfield Director’s Cup
By: Alex Kline, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
CLEVELAND – The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) released the fall national standings for the Learfield Director's Cup on Monday morning, seeing Cal Poly Pomona receive it's highest ranking in department history at No. 4 in all of NCAA Division II with 267.0 total points. Only Grand Valley State, Wingate, and Colorado State Pueblo beat out the Broncos with more points.
Cal Poly Pomona's previous highest ranking at any point was No. 9, set with 189.5 points after the 2016 fall season. CPP shattered that mark on Monday, earning 77.5 more points thanks to the strongest fall in department history. Among many milestones and accomplishments, fall teams went a combined 60-7-9 with four NCAA Championship appearances and of course, the national title in women's soccer.
This is the first time CPP has ever received over 200 points in a single season – fall, winter, or spring – and their 267 points is more than CPP received during the entire year in any of Athletic Director Brian Swanson's first nine years at the helm.
Cal Poly Pomona's highest-ever point total came in 2022-23, when they garnered 386.5 total points and finished first among CCAA schools. If the Broncos keep up their current pace, they will undoubtedly break that record as well.
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. Overall, 15 sports are counted in the final DII standings, four of which must be women's volleyball and basketball and men's basketball and baseball. The next highest (11 max.) sports scored for each institution, regardless of gender, are used in the standings.
CPP Fall Sports – 267 pts
Women's Soccer – 100 pts
Volleyball – 64 pts
Men's Cross Country – 53 pts
Men's Soccer – 50 pts
CCAA Standings
4. Cal Poly Pomona – 267 pts
30. Chico State – 133.5 pts
58. San Francisco State – 90 pts
60. Cal State LA – 89 pts
71. Stanislaus State – 75 pts
109. Cal State Dominguez Hills – 50 pts
West Region Standings
4. Cal Poly Pomona – 267 pts
15. Western Washington – 179 pts
28. Point Loma – 139 pts
30. Chico State – 133.5 pts
54. Biola – 96 pts
58. San Francisco State – 90 pts
60. Cal State LA – 89 pts
67. Azusa Pacific – 80 pts
71. Stanislaus State – 75 pts
99. Alaska Fairbanks – 63 pts
109. Cal State Dominguez Hills – 50 pts
109. Central Washington – 50 pts
109. Chaminade – 50 pts
109. Hawaii Hilo – 50 pts
109. Simon Fraser – 50 pts
109. Western Oregon – 50 pts
126. Concordia Irvine – 25 pts
126. Westmont – 25 pts
Bronco Bits
- This is the 28th year of the LEARFIELD Director's Cup, after being introduced in 1995-96 (excluding 2019-20 and 2020-21 due to COVID). Cal Poly Pomona has finished in the Top 100 in 17 of the 27 years.
- The Broncos have placed Top 3 among CCAA schools 11 times, including each of the past 8 years. They were the highest scoring department in the conference in both 2021-22 and 2022-23.
- Over the past 10 years, the Broncos are averaging 281 points and a final ranking of No. 74.
- The department's highest finish came in 1996-97, just the second year of the award, when they earned 317.5 points for 18th place.
- The best finish under current Athletics Director Brian Swanson came in 2014-15, totaling 371.5 points for 40th place.
- The highest CPP had ever been ranked in the LEARFIELD Director's Cup was No. 9, coming after the Fall of 2016 where they earned 189.5 points. They have now cracked the Top 10 twice, both coming after the fall season.
About Learfield
Learfield is a media, data, and technology services leader 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 include licensing and collegiate sports properties' multimedia sponsorship management; publishing, audio, digital and social media; data analytics and insights; ticketing software; and ticket sales, premium seating, and fundraising services; branding; campus-wide business and sponsorship development. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for NACDA's acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, recognizing athletic departments across all divisions.
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