Albany State University continues to raise the bar in athletic excellence, finishing as the top-performing Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) institution in the 2024–25 Learfield Directors’ Cup standings. The Golden Rams ranked 175th out of 259 NCAA Division II schools nationwide.
The Learfield Directors’ Cup is widely recognized as the industry standard for measuring overall athletics success across all sports, factoring in NCAA postseason performance. For athletic directors, it serves as a key benchmarking tool, a reflection of a department’s competitive strength and program-wide consistency.
“Finishing first among SIAC institutions in the Learfield Directors’ Cup speaks to the steady progress we’re making at Albany State,” said Dr. Kristene Kelly, Director of Athletics. “While we didn’t surpass last year’s overall ranking, I’m incredibly proud of the effort, consistency, and competitive spirit shown by our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. This is a true team effort, and it shows that we’re building a culture of sustained success.”
The Golden Rams earned points in multiple sports, including track & field and baseball, helping secure the highest placement among their SIAC peers. Nine of ASU’s 11 programs finished in the top three of their respective conference standings during the 2024-25 academic year.
“The Directors’ Cup gives us a clear, data-driven way to assess where we are competitively,” added Kelly. “It’s one thing to say you’re improving; it’s another to have the numbers back it up. This recognition tells us we’re headed in the right direction.”
The accomplishment adds to a growing list of achievements for ASU Athletics, including multiple SIAC championships, facility upgrades, increased student-athlete support, and rising academic success.
As Albany State prepares for the 2025–26 campaign, the Golden Rams remain focused on one vision: #CreatingLegacies through excellence on and off the field.
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