CLEVELAND – Loyola University Chicago Athletics recorded its third-highest finish in school history in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings, totaling 112 points during the 2025-26 academic year.

The Ramblers finished third among Atlantic 10 Conference institutions, up one spot from a year ago, and ranked 22nd nationally among Division I non-football programs. Loyola earned Directors' Cup points through women's volleyball, men's volleyball and men's cross country. The program's highest-ever finish came in 2013-14, when it placed 114th nationally with 149.50 points.

Loyola's success was fueled by standout performances across all three scoring sports. In the fall, the women's volleyball team captured its second consecutive Atlantic 10 Championship and third in the last four seasons after posting a 12-6 conference record, earning an NCAA Tournament berth.

The men's cross country team claimed its third Atlantic 10 title in four years in November 2025. Five Ramblers finished among the top 10 at the conference championship, led by William Sinclair's runner-up performance. Two weeks later, Loyola placed fifth at the NCAA Division I Midwest Regional.

The men's volleyball team added to the department's success by sweeping Saint Francis (Pa.) in the opening round of the NCAA National Collegiate Men's Volleyball Championship. The victory marked Loyola's first NCAA Tournament win since capturing the national championship in 2015.

The Learfield Directors' Cup, presented annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), recognizes collegiate athletic departments for overall competitive success across multiple sports.

Loyola's historical Learfield Directors' Cup finishes

2013-14: 114th place (149.50 points)
2014-15: 151st place (100 points)
2016-17: 213th place (50 points)
2017-18: 181st place (83 points)
2018-19: 266th place (25 points)
2020-21: 155th place (94 points)
2021-22: 229th place (50 points)
2022-23: 221st place (52 points)
2023-24: 260th place (28 points)
2024-25: 128th place (137 points)
2025-26: 150th place (112 points)