12 Jun 2024 Harding posts all-time best finish in NACDA Learfield Director’s Cup 

Posted at 4:05 PMh in Sports by

SEARCY — Harding University secured its highest-ever placement, finishing 16th in the 2023-2024 NACDA Learfield Director’s Cup NCAA Division II standings.

The NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) Director’s Cup recognizes overall excellence in collegiate athletics, awarding points based on teams’ national finishes in NCAA Championships across various sports. Harding set an all-time high with 597.50 points, surpassing its previous bests of a 26th-place finish in 2005 and 365 points in 2023.

Ten of Harding’s 18 teams scored points in the standings by reaching the NCAA postseason. Harding’s fall sports earned 100 points, the winter sports added 170.50 points, and the spring sports collected 327 points.

In the fall, Harding’s football team claimed the national championship, contributing 100 points. Harding women’s basketball added 50 points for its appearance in the Central Region semifinal. Women’s indoor track and field scored 50 points for a 22nd-place finish at nationals, and the men’s indoor track team placed eighth at nationals, contributing 70.5 points.

Harding had six different teams score points in the spring. The Baseball Bisons reached their second regional tournament, earning 38 points. Women’s golf placed fifth in its regional, scoring 54 points. Men’s golf placed 13th nationally, adding 63 points. Men’s tennis reached the regional semifinal, contributing 50 points. Women’s outdoor track and field placed 34th nationally, earning 37.5 points, and men’s outdoor track and field finished a program-best third, adding 85 points.

Harding was the highest-ranked team in the Great American Conference and one of only two GAC teams in the top 100 out of more than 300 Division II schools.

For more information about Harding University Athletics and to keep up with the latest news and updates, visit HardingSports.com.