CLEVELAND, Ohio. - The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) has released their final 2024-25 Learfield Directors' Cup standings. FDU landed in 118^th place, which was 30 spots higher than any other NEC institution. The Knights rose 64 spots from their final spot in the 2023-24 standings.

"Our Knights continue to display excellence in all aspects of competition," Said FDU Senior Associate Vice President/Director of Athletics Bradford Hurlbut. "The stretch of four championships in just 35 days was a remarkable run and is indicative of the hard working student-athletes we have on campus. The Directors' Cup standings once again tell us that momentum is rolling at FDU."

FDU finished the year with 149.00 total points. This was 39 more points than LIU, who holds the second-highest NEC finish at 148^th. The record for highest finish by an NEC institution is 92^nd, which the Knights achieved in 2022-23.

Ther Knights collected 119 points in the winter season, highlighted by a historic March Madness appearance for women's basketball and a return to the National Collegiate Bowling Championship for women's bowling. Women's basketball completed a spectacular unbeaten campaign in the NEC on their way to their first title in 33 years. The two-time National Champion bowling team swept the NEC regular season and tournament crowns. Nicole Gavrilko, a member of the women's fencing team, garnered All-American honors in March at Penn State to cap off the winter.

Championships in women's basketball and women's bowling were only the start for the Knights as the calendar flipped to 2025. Both women's tennis and women's golf captured NEC Championships later in the spring. Women's tennis ripped off a perfect season in the NEC under first year head coach Alex Cole to earn their fifth trip to the NCAA tournament in program history. On the links, NEC Coach of the Year Rob Warren led the women's team to their tenth NEC Championship crown.

All in all, FDU had four teams make the NCAA Championships in 2024-25 resulting in a strong Directors' Cup finish. The Knights finished 14^th among Division I-AAA schools, right in front of VCU and just behind St. John's.

NEC Directors' Cup Standings:
118. FDU (149.00)
148. LIU (110.00)
151. Wagner (108.00)
226. Central Connecticut (50.00)
258. Saint Francis U (30.00)
264. Chicago State (25.00)
 
To read more about the Directors' Cup, click here.
About Learfield: Learfield is the media and technology company powering college athletics. Through its digital and physical platforms, Learfield owns and leverages a deep data set and relationships in the industry to drive revenue, growth, brand awareness, and fan engagement for brands, sports, and entertainment properties. With ties to over 1,200 collegiate institutions and over 12,000 local and national brand partners, Learfield's presence in college sports and live events delivers influence and maximizes reach to target audiences. With solutions for a 365-day, 24/7 fan experience, Learfield enables schools and brands to connect with fans through licensed merchandise, game ticketing, donor identification for athletic programs, exclusive custom content, innovative marketing initiatives, NIL solutions, and advanced digital platforms. Since 2008, it has served as title sponsor for the acclaimed Learfield Directors' Cup, supporting athletic departments across all divisions.