LEBANON, Tenn. - - Cumberland University Athletics finished 49th in the final 2025-26 NAIA Learfield Directors' Cup standings, totaling 383.75 points and earning a Top 50 national finish among NAIA institutions.

The Phoenix opened the year with one of the strongest fall seasons in recent program history, finishing 36th nationally after the fall championship season with 114.00 points. Men's Soccer led the way with a historic run to the NAIA National Championship final site, finishing ninth nationally and earning 64.00 points. Women's Soccer added 50.00 points after advancing to the second round of the NAIA National Championship, helping Cumberland climb 39 spots from its fall standing the previous year.

Cumberland continued to add to its total during the winter season, collecting 145.75 points behind strong performances from Wrestling and both Bowling programs. Women's Bowling posted a fifth-place finish nationally to contribute 60.00 points, while Wrestling added 60.75 points with a 14th-place finish at the NAIA National Championships. Men's Bowling rounded out the winter scoring with 25.00 points after finishing 10th nationally.

The Phoenix added another 124.00 points during the spring championship season. Women's Tennis earned 45.00 points with a ninth-place finish at the NAIA National Championships, while Women's Golf contributed 40.00 points with a 17th-place national finish. Women's Outdoor Track & Field added 39.00 points to complete Cumberland's scoring sports for the year.

The University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) claimed the 2025-26 LEARFIELD Directors' Cup title with 1,021.00 points. Lindsey Wilson finished fifth nationally with 794.75 points, while Campbellsville placed 35th with 428.50 points. Cumberland's 49th-place finish ranked fourth among Mid-South Conference institutions and highlighted the continued strength of the conference on the national stage.

The Learfield Directors' Cup, presented annually by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and Learfield, recognizes overall athletic excellence based on national championship finishes throughout the academic year.

"We are proud of the accomplishments of our student-athletes and coaches throughout the year," said Vice President of Athletics Ron Pavan. "Competing at a high level across multiple sports and finishing among the top 50 athletic departments in the NAIA reflects the commitment, hard work, and competitive excellence of our entire athletics department."