Grand Rapids, Mich. – When it comes to measuring overall athletic success across collegiate athletics, few benchmarks carry more weight than the Learfield Directors' Cup. At the halfway point of the 2025–26 season, Aquinas College is once again proving it belongs among the nation's elite.
Currently, the Saints sit 13th nationally in the NAIA and first in the WHAC, a reflection of sustained excellence across multiple men's and women's programs and a testament to the depth, balance, and consistency of Aquinas Athletics.
Developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today, the Directors' Cup was launched during the 1993–94 academic year to recognize comprehensive athletic department success rather than dominance in just a single sport. The award expanded in 1995–96 to include Division II, Division III, and the NAIA, and later added junior colleges. Since the 2007–08 season, the program has been sponsored by Learfield, awarding a prestigious Waterford Crystal trophy to each division's overall champion.
A Measuring Stick for Comprehensive Excellence
The Learfield Directors' Cup emphasizes broad-based success, awarding points based on national postseason finishes across a required mix of men's and women's sports. The system rewards departments that demonstrate competitive excellence, organizational stability, and consistent postseason participation — qualities Aquinas has steadily strengthened over recent years.
That upward trajectory is clear. Aquinas finished 34th nationally during the 2023–24 season, improved to 29th in the final 2024–25 standings, and reached the top-10 nationally during the fall portion of the 2024 season. Now, at the midpoint of the 2025–26 campaign, the Saints have climbed to 13th, positioning themselves for another strong finish.
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Damon Bouwkamp sees the ranking as a reflection of collective commitment across the entire department.
"This recognition is a direct reflection of the hard work and dedication of our student-athletes, the countless hours invested by our coaching staffs, and the tireless efforts of our athletic department in partnership with Aquinas College," Bouwkamp said. "It speaks to a shared commitment to excellence and the pride we take in representing Aquinas at the highest level."
Sustaining the Standard
Deputy Athletic Director Connor Leppink emphasized that the ranking validates the consistency Aquinas strives for across all programs.
"Earning the No. 13 national ranking at the halfway mark and leading the WHAC reflects the consistency and competitive standard our program expects," Leppink said. "Our teams continue to embrace the challenge, and this recognition reinforces that Aquinas belongs among the top programs in the NAIA."
The Directors' Cup also serves as a motivator for individual teams, whose postseason success directly contributes to the department's overall standing.
Men's Basketball Head Coach Ryan Bertoia highlighted the value of the Cup as both a benchmark and a shared goal.
"I think it's a very good measuring stick to see where our athletic department is and how all teams stack up across the nation," Bertoia said. "As for the men's basketball team, we just want to do our part and finish high enough to earn more points, allowing the athletic department to really shine. There have been a lot of things happening at Aquinas over the last couple of years, and to fight through adversity and stay at the top is a real testament to the student-athletes and the staff."
As the second half of the 2025–26 season unfolds, Aquinas Athletics remains focused on sustaining momentum, competing at the highest level, and continuing its upward climb in one of college athletics' most respected measures of comprehensive success — a reminder that excellence at Aquinas is never accidental, and every day is A great day to be a Saint.
