BUCKEYE POWER ON FULL DISPLAY: Ohio State Secures Eighth Place in Final LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup Standings—Nation’s Elite Program Cements All-Around Athletic Dominance
Ohio State’s athletic prowess is once again being recognized on a national scale, as the university has secured an impressive eighth-place finish in the final 2023–24 LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings. This placement underscores the Buckeyes’ consistent excellence across a wide range of sports and serves as yet another testament to the depth and breadth of Ohio State’s athletic department. For a program with championship aspirations in nearly every sport it sponsors, this result reinforces its status as one of the elite all-around athletic institutions in the country. As the dust settles on another competitive collegiate year, the Buckeyes’ top-ten finish cements their place among the national powerhouses and signals a future that continues to shine brightly across all seasons.
The LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, awarded annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA), measures the overall success of college athletics programs across all NCAA-sanctioned sports. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in NCAA Championship events, and the cumulative total across men’s and women’s sports determines each school’s final position in the standings. For Ohio State, finishing eighth out of hundreds of institutions reflects not only competitiveness but sustained excellence across nearly every athletic platform.
This year’s ranking continues a strong tradition of athletic achievement in Columbus. The Buckeyes have routinely ranked among the top athletic programs in the country, and the 2023–24 campaign was no different. What makes Ohio State’s finish especially significant is the balance demonstrated across all major and Olympic sports. While many schools tend to rely on a handful of programs for Directors’ Cup points, Ohio State has cultivated success across the board—an achievement that requires strategic investment, exceptional coaching, elite facilities, and a deeply rooted culture of winning.
On the football field, the Buckeyes remained a formidable national power. Under head coach Ryan Day, Ohio State put together another strong campaign, earning a major bowl bid and maintaining their reputation as a perennial College Football Playoff contender. Although the team fell just short of a national title, its contribution to the Directors’ Cup point total was significant and emblematic of the sustained dominance of the program. With elite recruiting classes already in place and a coaching staff focused on championship-level execution, Ohio State football remains a cornerstone of the athletic department’s national standing.
However, what truly separates Ohio State from many of its peers is the dominance seen in its non-revenue and Olympic sports. The wrestling program, for instance, had another impressive season, with multiple student-athletes qualifying for the NCAA Championships and several earning All-American status. Under head coach Tom Ryan, the Buckeyes continue to be a fixture in the top ten nationally, and the development pipeline remains strong heading into next season.
Women’s basketball, under the leadership of head coach Kevin McGuff, has emerged as one of the most dynamic and exciting programs in the nation. The Buckeyes stormed through the Big Ten with a potent mix of high-tempo offense and aggressive defense, reaching the NCAA Tournament with legitimate Final Four aspirations. Their deep tournament run brought in significant points for the Directors’ Cup and further showcased the rise of women’s sports at Ohio State.
Meanwhile, the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams have quietly built one of the most complete aquatic programs in the nation. Year after year, these teams perform well at the NCAA Championships, earning individual titles and team podium finishes. The synergy between the athletes and coaching staff has created a culture of accountability and excellence, drawing top-tier talent from around the globe to Ohio State’s aquatic facilities.
Baseball and softball both delivered competitive seasons that, while not ending in national championships, contributed valuable points to the university’s total. In both sports, Ohio State continues to recruit at a high level and develop players who can compete in the nation’s toughest conference. Track and field, both indoor and outdoor, also continued to churn out Big Ten champions and national qualifiers, adding to the comprehensive strength of the athletic department.
Another cornerstone of the Buckeyes’ Directors’ Cup success has been the fencing program, which remains a national force. Ohio State’s fencers consistently deliver high-level performances at the NCAA Championships, thanks to a tradition of elite coaching and a diverse, talented roster. Alongside fencing, sports such as men’s volleyball, synchronized swimming, and gymnastics have also played crucial roles in bolstering the Buckeyes’ standings.
It’s also worth highlighting the contribution of Ohio State’s student-athletes beyond their athletic performance. The academic success of the Buckeye athletes contributes to a holistic culture that blends scholastic achievement with competitive excellence. Ohio State routinely posts high Academic Progress Rates (APR) and graduation success rates across all sports, demonstrating the university’s commitment to developing leaders in every facet of life.
In the realm of athletic administration, Gene Smith’s leadership as athletic director has been pivotal to Ohio State’s continued national relevance. With a strategic vision focused on competitive success, academic support, and facility enhancement, Smith has steered the department through evolving challenges in collegiate athletics, including NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) regulations and conference realignment. Under his tenure, Ohio State has become a model for how to build and sustain a comprehensive athletic department at the highest level.
Smith, who recently announced his intention to retire, leaves behind a powerful legacy. His successor, Ross Bjork—formerly of Texas A\&M and Ole Miss—is poised to carry the torch and continue enhancing Ohio State’s reputation. The eighth-place finish in the Directors’ Cup is a fitting testament to the foundation Smith built, and a strong springboard for the next chapter in Ohio State athletics.
The Big Ten Conference, of which Ohio State is a proud member, also had a strong showing in the Directors’ Cup standings, with multiple teams finishing in the top 25. This competitive environment only pushes programs like Ohio State to remain at the cutting edge of development and performance. As the conference continues to expand and reconfigure with the additions of schools like USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington, the bar for excellence is only going to be raised further.
Facilities also played a crucial role in Ohio State’s success. The university boasts some of the finest athletic complexes in the country, including the Schottenstein Center, the Covelli Center, Ohio Stadium, and the Jennings Wrestling Facility, among others. These world-class venues offer student-athletes the resources needed to train and compete at elite levels. Continued investment in facilities ensures that Ohio State remains an attractive destination for the nation’s top recruits.
As NIL opportunities continue to transform the college sports landscape, Ohio State has adapted quickly. The athletic department, through its partnerships and educational programs, has empowered athletes to leverage their personal brands while maintaining focus on team goals. This forward-thinking approach has helped keep Ohio State competitive in recruiting wars and has further enhanced the appeal of donning the Scarlet and Gray.
Looking ahead, the future is bright for Buckeye athletics. With a rich pipeline of incoming talent, experienced coaching staffs, and a university-wide commitment to excellence, there’s every reason to believe Ohio State will continue to climb the Directors’ Cup standings in future years. The culture that has been cultivated—one of resilience, ambition, and unity—ensures that the Buckeyes won’t rest on past laurels.
For fans, alumni, and supporters of the university, the eighth-place finish in the 2023–24 LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup should serve as a point of pride. It reflects not just a year’s worth of victories, but decades of dedication, leadership, and investment. It captures the essence of what makes Ohio State more than just a football powerhouse—it’s a well-rounded, nationally respected institution that competes at the highest level in nearly every sport it offers.
In today’s increasingly competitive collegiate athletics environment, where margins for success are razor-thin and expectations remain sky-high, Ohio State has delivered once again. The eighth-place national finish in the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup is more than just a number—it’s a reflection of excellence, a symbol of comprehensive achievement, and a beacon for what’s still to come. The Buckeyes are built to last, and as they prepare for another season of competition, one thing is clear: Ohio State remains one of the most formidable athletic programs in the nation.