UVA athletics vaults to fourth in the country

UVA’s athletics program ranked among the nation’s elite in the 2022-23 season, according to the results of an annual competition that awards points based on a school’s NCAA postseason finish in 19 sports.

UVA placed fourth in the Learfield Directors’ Cup, which is awarded by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics. Virginia came in behind Stanford, University of Texas and Ohio State. More than 300 schools compete.

It was the University’s best showing since 2014 and tied for second best ever. The Cavaliers finished third in 2010.

“This year brought both incredible pain and incredible triumph and through it all, our student-athletes, coaches and staff showed up every day for each other and we found purpose and healing in competing for something greater than ourselves,” Virginia Director of Athletics Carla Williams said in a news release.

The competition rewards success in a range of sports, four of which must be men’s baseball, women’s volleyball, and men’s and women’s basketball. The next 15 highest-scoring sports at each school are used to determine the final standings.

After the winter season, which was highlighted by a third consecutive national championship by the women’s swimming and diving team, UVA stood in 12th place.

The Cavaliers jumped eight spots in the spring, when the men’s tennis team won its second consecutive national title, men’s lacrosse reached the NCAA Final Four, baseball advanced to the College World Series and the men’s golf team finished fifth at the NCAA championship.

The women’s soccer, women’s cross country, and women’s rowing teams also finished in the top 10 nationally during their seasons.

UVA placed in the top 25 for the 16th consecutive time and is one of 10 schools to rank in the top 30 every year of the competition, which began in 1994.