Ohio State Finishes Eighth Nationally in Final 2023-24 LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup Standings, Securing Another Impressive Year for Buckeye Athletics

Ohio State University once again demonstrated its athletic excellence on the national stage, earning an impressive eighth-place finish in the final 2023-24 LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings. The Buckeyes continued their tradition of competitive success across a wide range of sports, cementing their place among the nation’s elite collegiate athletic programs.

The LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup, presented by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today, honors the most successful athletic programs in NCAA Division I based on their performances in NCAA Championships across all sports. Ohio State’s top-10 finish reflects the university’s all-around athletic prowess and its ongoing commitment to excellence both on and off the field.

Stanford University captured the 2023-24 Directors’ Cup, continuing its historic run of dominance, with Texas, Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina rounding out the top five. Ohio State’s eighth-place finish places them in elite company and further underscores the strength of their athletic department.

For the Buckeyes, this marks the 14th time in the last 15 seasons that the university has finished inside the top 10 of the Directors’ Cup standings—a remarkable level of consistency for one of the nation’s largest and most competitive athletic programs. The finish is also the best for Ohio State since a seventh-place result in the 2020-21 season.

Ohio State’s performance across both fall, winter, and spring sports fueled their rise in the rankings. The Buckeyes accumulated points from 18 varsity sports, showcasing the depth and diversity of their athletic department. Programs such as women’s ice hockey, fencing, wrestling, women’s volleyball, and men’s tennis all made significant contributions to the university’s overall point total.

One of the biggest highlights for Ohio State during the 2023-24 season came from the women’s ice hockey team, which continued its ascent as one of the top programs in the nation. The Buckeyes captured their second national championship in program history, defeating Wisconsin in a thrilling Frozen Four final. Head coach Nadine Muzerall has built a powerhouse in Columbus, and the national title added a substantial number of points to Ohio State’s Directors’ Cup tally.

Ohio State’s fencing program also played a key role in the university’s success, finishing second nationally. The Buckeyes have long been a fencing powerhouse under head coach Vladimir Nazlymov, and this year’s result marked another strong showing on the national stage.

In wrestling, Ohio State continued to prove its place among the nation’s best, securing a third-place team finish at the NCAA Championships. Head coach Tom Ryan’s squad once again produced multiple All-Americans and brought home significant points toward the university’s Directors’ Cup total.

The Buckeyes’ women’s volleyball team also made waves this past season, advancing to the NCAA Tournament’s regional semifinals and securing a top-16 national finish. Under head coach Jen Flynn Oldenburg, the program has consistently performed at a high level, contributing to the overall athletic department’s success.

Men’s tennis delivered a stellar season as well, reaching the NCAA Final Four. The Buckeyes, led by longtime head coach Ty Tucker, have been a national contender year after year and their strong showing on the courts this season added another valuable boost to Ohio State’s Directors’ Cup standing.

Beyond these standout performances, several other Ohio State programs advanced deep into postseason play, further adding to the university’s impressive point total. Men’s and women’s swimming and diving, men’s gymnastics, women’s basketball, and track and field all contributed to the Buckeyes’ overall success.

Ohio State Athletic Director Gene Smith, who is set to retire at the conclusion of the 2024 calendar year, praised the university’s student-athletes, coaches, and support staff for their dedication and excellence across all sports.

“Finishing eighth in the Directors’ Cup standings is a testament to the incredible commitment of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff,” Smith said. “Our Buckeyes continue to compete at the highest level in a wide variety of sports, and their achievements reflect the culture of excellence we strive for every day at Ohio State. I’m proud of the work our teams have done this year and excited for what’s ahead.”

Smith, one of the most respected athletic administrators in college sports, has overseen a remarkable era of success for Ohio State athletics, with numerous national championships, Big Ten titles, and consistently high finishes in the Directors’ Cup standings during his tenure.

The LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup was established in 1993 and has become the benchmark for measuring broad-based athletic success at the collegiate level. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in NCAA Championship competition, with 19 sports counted toward each school’s final total. This includes four mandatory sports—men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and women’s volleyball—with the highest finishes among additional sports also counting.

For Ohio State, their eighth-place finish reflects not only athletic success but also the breadth and competitiveness of their 36-sport program, one of the most comprehensive in the nation. The Buckeyes consistently excel across men’s and women’s sports, building a program that values both championship performance and academic achievement.

The 2023-24 season was filled with memorable moments beyond just the national championships and top finishes. The Buckeyes also celebrated individual milestones, with numerous student-athletes earning All-American honors, national player of the year awards, and academic accolades. Their success underscores the program’s focus on developing well-rounded student-athletes who thrive in both athletic and academic arenas.

Ohio State’s ability to remain a national contender across so many sports speaks to the university’s investment in facilities, coaching, and student-athlete support services. From state-of-the-art training centers to academic resources, the Buckeyes continue to provide their student-athletes with the tools needed to compete and succeed at the highest levels.

Looking ahead, Ohio State’s future remains bright. The Buckeyes will welcome a talented group of incoming student-athletes across multiple sports for the 2024-25 season, many of whom were highly ranked national recruits. With the foundation of success firmly in place and a culture built on hard work and achievement, Ohio State is poised to remain among the top athletic programs in the country for years to come.

Moreover, the university’s continued presence in the top 10 of the Directors’ Cup standings reinforces its status as a national leader not only in football and basketball, but in a wide array of Olympic and non-revenue sports that collectively contribute to the institution’s athletic legacy.

As Gene Smith prepares to pass the torch to his successor, the foundation he has helped build will undoubtedly sustain Ohio State’s tradition of excellence. The eighth-place finish in the 2023-24 LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup standings is yet another reminder that the Buckeyes are among the nation’s elite when it comes to comprehensive athletic success.

With passionate support from Buckeye Nation, a commitment to developing world-class student-athletes, and a tradition of winning across all sports, Ohio State is set to continue its proud legacy of athletic excellence well into the future.