ROMEOVILLE, Ill. — Lewis University has quietly and consistently outperformed every NCAA Division I and II school in the state of Illinois in one of college athletics' most comprehensive metrics: the Learfield Directors' Cup.

The NACDA Directors' Cup, officially known as the NACDA Learfield Directors' Cup, is an annual award recognizing the most successful collegiate athletic programs in the U.S. It is presented by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and awards points based on schools' finishes in NCAA and NAIA championships, with higher placements earning more points. Launched in 1993 for NCAA Division I, the award expanded in 1995 to include Divisions II, III, and NAIA, and in 2011 to junior colleges. Each division has its own separate award.

Since 2014, no other Illinois-based Division I or II institution has averaged a better finish in the standings, making the Flyers the #1 performing NCAA program in the state over the past decade.

"The Learfield Cup standings reflect athletic performance and success," said John Ashaolu, Lewis' Assistant Vice President for Athletics. "There's absolutely a championship culture for Flyer Athletics that if you come here, you will compete for titles. We have high expectations in every sport."

Lewis has averaged a top-35 national finish among Division II schools, with multiple top-20 rankings, most recently finishing 11th in the 2024-25 season.

Meanwhile, many full-Division I programs in Illinois have averaged outside the top 100 over the same period. For context, only 17 schools in Illinois—across all NCAA divisions—have appeared in at least five of the last ten standings updates. Among them, Lewis boasts the highest average finish.

At the Division II level, Lewis is in a league of its own for the state. McKendree University holds an average of 87, while Quincy and Illinois Springfield trail at 173 and 169, respectively—Lewis averages 33.

"With a department that competes at both the Division I and Division II levels, it shows the level of commitment we have across all sports," Ashaolu added. "Although the Learfield standings don't account for classroom performance, we have the data to show we are among the best on and off the fields of play—not just in Illinois, but in the nation."

Longtime head volleyball coach and Assistant Athletic Director for Strategic Initiatives, Dan Friend, credits the program's foundation of excellence to a collaborative and sustained effort across campus.

"The foundation for championship programs has been around our campus for years," Friend said. "This is truly a testament to everybody who has played a role in this program—from our campus administrators to some of the first student-athletes and coaches who stepped foot here in Romeoville."

Now in his 28th season as a collegiate head coach, Friend brings credibility and perspective to Lewis' sustained success. With a 556-272 career record, five NCAA Tournament appearances, and four NCAA Final Fours—including a runner-up finish in 2015—he's part of the institutional DNA that has powered the Flyers to consistent national relevance.

Lewis' impressive run in the Learfield Cup standings is more than a data point—it's the culture. Year after year, Flyer student-athletes compete with—and often outperform—the best in the country. Their success is measured not just in wins, but in banners, graduation rates, and the legacy they leave behind.

"As we look ahead, our expectations are only rising," said Ashaolu. "We have the formula to maintain and, more importantly, keep improving."