Azusa Pacific finished sixth in the 2022-23 LEARFIELD Directors' Cup for NCAA Division II schools with 728 points, which is a nine point jump from last year and the second consecutive top-6 finish. The LEARFIELD Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today to annually recognize the nation's best intercollegiate athletics programs in NCAA Divisions I, II, III and NAIA. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.

Heading into the spring, Azusa Pacific ranked 14th with a combined 338 points, as the Cougars scored 79 points in the Fall and 259 in the winter. In the spring, six different sports totaled 390.25 points for the Cougars, moving Azusa Pacific into sixth place. The National Championship title won by women's track & field scored 100 points, both men's and women's tennis each tallied 64 points following appearances in the quarterfinals at Nationals, men's track & field contributed 62.3 points with a 13th place at Nationals, baseball's PacWest Tournament title and West Regional final appearance scored 50 points, and softball also scored 50 points with their West Regional final appearance.

Azusa Pacific was the only West region school to finish in the Division II Top-35, and the only PacWest school ranked in the top-60. Western Washington of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference was the West region's second-best finisher at No. 37, while Academy of Art was the PacWest's second-best school at No. 62. 

"I am so proud of the entire athletics department for another top-10 finish in the Directors' Cup this year." said Director of Athletics Gary Pine. "Azusa Pacific has been incredibly well-rounded and successful since our NAIA days, and although the move to NCAA has raised the level of competition, we have continued to meet our goals and objectives and have established ourselves at a National level. Our coaches, student-athletes and administration continue to excel in all aspects and it's a blessing to be able to work with them as they continue to make an impact not only at Azusa Pacific, but in the world while putting God first."

Azusa Pacific's highest finish in the NCAA Division II Directors' Cup was last year at No. 5, which makes this the second consecutive year where the Cougars have finished top-10 in the standings. Prior to joining the NCAA, Azusa Pacific competed in the NAIA, where the Cougars won eight Directors' Cups. 

The Cougars' finish in the Directors' Cup adds yet another honor for Azusa Pacific Athletics this year, as the Cougars were recently announced as the PacWest Commissioner's Cup Champions for the third-consecutive time. To see the full LEARFIELD Directors Cup Standings, click HERE.