The Northwest Missouri State University Bearcat athletic programs produced the highest finish in school history in the LEARFIELD Directors' Cup Standings.
Northwest finished as the top MIAA school in the standings. The Bearcats tallied 569.50 points to rank No. 13, while Pittsburg State posted 555.75 points for No. 15 in the country. It also marks the most points (569.5) accrued by Northwest in the history of the program.
Northwest's previous best finish in the Directors' Cup Standings came with a pair of 19th-place finishes in 1997 (312.5 points) and in 2006 (359.0 points). Northwest's previous high-point total came with 405.0 points in 2007.
The Bearcats had 11 teams reach NCAA postseason play which allowed for points to be scored in the LEARFIELD Directors' Cup Standings. Bearcat women's sports accumulated 279.75 points, while the Northwest men added 289.75 points.
Overall, 15 sports are counted in the final D-II standings, four of which must be women's volleyball and basketball and men's basketball and baseball. The next highest (11 max.) sports scored for each institution regardless of gender, are used in the standings.
The LEARFIELD, Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Director of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in the NCAA Championships.
FALL EVENTS POINTS FOR NORTHWEST – 153.0 pts.
Football – 53 pts.
Women's Cross Country – 50 pts.
Women's Soccer – 25 pts.
Women's Volleyball – 25 pts.
WINTER EVENTS POINTS FOR NORTHWEST – 188.0 pts.
Men's Indoor Track & Field – 71.25 pts.
Women's Indoor Track & Field – 66.75 pts.
Men's Basketball – 50 pts.
SPRING EVENTS POINTS FOR NORTHWEST – 228.50 pts.
Men's Tennis – 64 pts.
Women's Outdoor Track & Field – 63 pts.
Men's Outdoor Track & Field – 51.5 pts.
Women's Tennis – 50 pts.
2022-23 MIAA TEAMS
13. Northwest Missouri State – 569.5 pts.
15. Pittsburg State – 555.75 pts.
22. Missouri Southern – 495.5 pts.
24. Central Missouri – 477.0 pts.
33. Central Oklahoma – 427.0 pts.
38. Nebraska-Kearney – 403.0 pts.
52. Washburn – 352.5 pts.
87. Fort Hays State – 234.5 pts.
100. Lincoln – 212.75 pts.
118. Emporia State – 172.5 pts.
160. Missouri Western – 107.5 pts.
164. Rogers State – 101.0 pts.
192. Northeastern State – 77.5 pts.
Northwest's Previous LEARFIELD Director's Cup Standings Results
1995-96 20th (284.5 pts.)
1996-97 19th (312.5 pts.)
1997-98 46th (120.0 pts.)
1998-2003 N/A
2003-04 50th (255.5 pts.)
2004-05 68th (227.5 pts.)
2005-06 19th (359.0 pts.)
2006-07 29th (405.0 pts.)
2007-08 44th (329.0 pts.)
2008-09 68th (275.0 pts.)
2009-10 56th (299.5 pts.)
2010-11 48th (319.0 pts.)
2011-12 76th (235.5 pts.)
2012-13 149th (117.0 pts.)
2013-14 69th (265.0 pts.)
2014-15 121st (177 pts.)
2015-16 57th (304.0 pts.)
2016-17 47th (362.0 pts.)
2017-18 190th (90.50 pts.)
2018-19 44th (347.0 pts.)
2019-20 & 2020-21 – No Standings due to COVID-19
2021-22 36th (394.5 pts.)
2022-23 13th (569.5 pts.)
