Wave Wraps Historic Fall with Lofty Learfield Directors’ Cup Ranking

NEW ORLEANS – Tulane Athletics finished with its second-highest fall Learfield Directors' Cup ranking in department history, according to January figures released by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.

The Cup has been awarded annually since the 1993-94 school year.

The Green Wave currently leads the American Conference and is second among Group of 6 schools with 137 points, good for a tie for 48th nationally. Only the Mountain West's New Mexico (23rd, 195 points) ranked higher in the G6.

A full breakdown of the Cup's current scoring structure can be found here.

Tulane's fall performance is second only to its 43rd-place showing in the fall of 1998, a year that saw Green Wave Football finish seventh in the final polls with a 12-0 record, Conference USA title and victory over BYU in the Liberty Bowl. The Olive and Blue also received points from men's cross country that fall following its 29th-place finish at the NCAA Championships.

"Congratulations to our incredible fall sports teams on their outstanding performances and dedication this season," said Ben Weiner Director of Athletics Chair David Harris. "Seeing our programs shine is a testament to the hard work, teamwork, and spirit of excellence that defines Tulane Athletics."

Tulane received 56 points from football following the program's 2025 11-3 campaign, which culminated in its second American Conference title and first-ever trip to the College Football Playoff. The team finished 18th in the final Associated Press Top 25 and USA Today Coaches Poll.

Men's Cross Country, which captured the South Central Region Championship, garnered 53 points, finishing 21st at both the NCAA Championship Meet and in the final U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association rankings. The season also saw Bernard Cheruiyot become the program's first male All-American in cross country, by virtue of his 29th-place finish at the national meet.

Women's Cross Country secured 28 points, winning its second American title in the past three years to go with a third-place finish at the South Central Regional Meet. It also qualified Blezzin Kimutai for the national meet, where she posted a 108th-place performance.

For their efforts, the Cross Country coaching staff was the American's top coaching honor, while head coach Adrian Myers was also the Johnny Morriss Award winner. That recognition is presented annually to the Men's South Central Region Coach of the Year.

Tulane's all-time fall rankings are below.

Fall 2025: T-48th
Fall 2024: T-65th
Fall 2023: 81st
Fall 2022: 66th
Fall 2021: Not ranked
Fall 2020: T-132nd
Fall 2019: No standings due to COVID-19
Fall 2018: T-138th
Fall 2017: Not ranked
Fall 2016: Not ranked
Fall 2015: Not ranked
Fall 2014: Not ranked
Fall 2013: T-148th
Fall 2012: Not ranked
Fall 2011: Not ranked
Fall 2010: Not ranked
Fall 2009: T-121st
Fall 2008: T-94th
Fall 2007: Not ranked
Fall 2006: Not ranked
Fall 2005: Not ranked
Fall 2004: Not ranked
Fall 2003: Not ranked
Fall 2002: Not available
Fall 2001: Not available
Fall 2000: Not available
Fall 1999: Not ranked
Fall 1998: T-43rd
Fall 1997: Not ranked
Fall 1996: Not ranked
Fall 1995: Not ranked
Fall 1994: Not ranked
Fall 1993: Not ranked

Wave Wraps Historic Fall with Lofty Learfield Directors’ Cup Ranking

Players Mentioned

Bernard Cheruiyot

Blezzin Kimutai

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