CLEVELAND, Ohio – Columbus State University Athletics posted its highest finish in the Learfield Directors' Cup Standings since 2022, finishing 52nd out of 259 athletic departments as released by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).

The Cougars break within the top 60 of the standings for NCAA Division II members, improving 42 spots from a season ago for the best finish since the 2022 final standings. That season, Columbus State finished 43rd.

The Learfield Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between NACDA and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships. 

Columbus State tallied 363 points -- sixth-best in department history -- as six programs earned points for the department throughout the 2024-25 season.

CSU opened with 83 points in the fall, all earned from the women's soccer program as they made a historic run to the NCAA Division II Final Four, producing a Peach Belt Conference Regular-Season Championship, a PBC Tournament title, and an NCAA Division II Southeast Regional Championship with a 22-1-2 overall record and completing the season ranked second in the country.

As for the winter sports, CSU excelled on the hardwood with both men's and women's basketball making appearances in the NCAA Tournament. Both programs earned 50 points for 100 total points during the winter portion of the season. The men's program made one of the best runs in program history, claiming the PBC Regular-Season crown and posting a 27-5 overall record, making an appearance in the NCAA Division II Round of 32 as the host of the Southeast Regional Tournament. As for the women, they finished 21-9 and appeared in the Round of 32 as well for the program's 13th NCAA Tournament appearance.

Wrapping up the season, the Cougars placed three programs in NCAA postseason play, earning 180 points in the spring. Men's golf highlighted with an 11th-place finish at the National Championship in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., earning 66 points in the process. CSU punched its ticket to the championship rounds with a fourth-place finish at the South/Southeast Regional.

Both tennis programs made NCAA appearances this season, led by the men who posted 64 points for a ninth-place finish while the women finished 17th for 50 points. The Cougars went 13-11 on the season with a 4-1 PBC record, bowing out in the Round of 16 down in Altamonte Springs, Fla. after capturing the Southeast Regional title over Flagler. For the Lady Cougars, they finished 16-7 on the season and 5-1 in PBC play, falling in the second round of the Southeast Regional.