KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- After a year in which the Broncos won 13 conference championships and six teams made NCAA appearances, Western Michigan Athletics finished at the top of the Mid-American Conference in the 2023-24 Learfield Directors Cup standings. This marks the first time in program history that the Broncos clinched the top spot. This adds to an already historical year for the department, having already broken the record for most team championships in one academic year.
"The Director's Cup is the ultimate measure of championship performance across an entire department," said Director of Athletics/Vice President Dan Bartholomae. "Our vision is centered on Comprehensive Excellence, and we are so proud of our coaches, staff, and student-athletes for the work they have put into this historic accomplishment."
The Broncos finished with 164.00 points, ranking 110th in the nation. Eight-team conference titles and five individual titles boosted WMU's total. The WMU Volleyball team won both the MAC Regular-Season and Tournament Championships, as did the men's soccer team in the Missouri Valley Conference. The WMU women's soccer and men's tennis teams won MAC regular-season Championships, while gymnastics and baseball won MAC Tournament titles.
Men's Soccer and Volleyball both picked up wins in the NCAA Tournament. Volleyball opened with an upset of No. 7 Auburn before falling to Louisville in the second round. Soccer opened the NCAA Tournament, hosting Green Bay and earning a 3-0 win. WMU then went on the road to upset No. 15 Duke, 2-1. The Broncos' historic run ended after falling at Notre Dame on penalty kicks, 4-2, after a 0-0 tie.
Multiple individuals also won MAC titles in gymnastics and track and field. Three Broncos took home MAC titles in gymnastics, while Indoor and Outdoor track student-athletes also combined for three titles. Outdoor track was highlighted by having four individuals qualify for NCAA Regionals, including Kayla Schiera, who went on to earn All-American honors in the steeplechase after winning the MAC title in the event and advancing past the NCAA Regionals to NCAA Championships, where she finished 15th in the nation. Hockey also represented the Broncos in the postseason, having clinched a spot in the 16 team NCAA tournament for an unprecedented third year in a row.
The Learfield Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NCAA Championships.
Each institution is awarded points in a pre-determined number of sports for men and women. The overall champion is the institution that records the highest number of points in their division's Directors' Cup standings. In Division I, 19 sports are counted. Four must be baseball, men's/women's basketball, and women's volleyball. The next highest 15, regardless of gender, are used in the standings.
