CLEVELAND, OHIO – Two NEWMAC institutions finished in the top-50 of the 2025-2026 Learfield Directors' Cup standings. MIT is ranked 11th, while Babson College is ranked 33rd. Overall, nine NEWMAC institutions are ranked in the standings, with three in the top-100.
 
MIT is the top-ranked school in the NEWMAC with 849 points, after compiling an additional 50 points in both women's lacrosse and softball this spring. They also earned 64 points in women's tennis and 67.5 in women's track & field. Men's track & field earned 37, while men's volleyball tallied 65.

In the winter, MIT secured 73.5 points for a sixth-place finish at the NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championship, and 61.5 points after a 14^th-place finish for the men. The Engineers also nabbed points in indoor track & field, including an eighth-place finish for the women.

In the fall, MIT earned 75 points in women's cross country with a fifth-place finish at the National Championship, while the men's squad accumulated 69 points on a ninth-place finish. Finally, MIT earned 64 points in both women's volleyball and women's soccer after their respective NCAA tournament runs. 

Compiling 543.50 points, Babson had its second-highest-ever finish at number 33, including 83 points for a top 4 finish in women's tennis. Men's lacrosse also reached the NCAA quarterfinals to earn 73 points. Men's tennis earned 64 points, and men's golf added 53, while baseball tallied 37.5 to wrap up its spring total.

In the winter, the Beavers grabbed 50 points for their men's basketball finish. In the fall, their field hockey program compiled 83 points from a Final Four appearance. Men's soccer and women's volleyball combined for the remainder of the Beavers' point total with NCAA Tournament runs.

Springfield earned 328 points to land at number 57, with 100 of their points coming from their NCAA Men's Volleyball National Championship. The bulk of its remaining points comes from men's wrestling and football.

WPI earned 175.50 points after earning 50 points for softball's appearance in the NCAA regionals in the spring. Men's basketball, men's indoor track & field, men's cross country, and field hockey also combined for their point total.

U.S. Coast Guard Academy enters the rankings at No. 136 with 143.00 points, after capturing points in women's track & field, men's swimming and diving, and wrestling.

Wheaton College is at No. 158, maintaining its 111.50 points earned from women's track & field and the men's soccer Elite Eight appearance.

Wellesley finishes at No. 171, after capturing 99.00 points for their finishes at the NCAA Rowing Championship, Women's Track & Field Championship, and the NCAA Women's Swimming & Diving Championship.

Salve Regina University sits at No. 180 in the rankings after a super regional appearance in baseball and a ninth-place finish in men's ice hockey.

Smith College finishes at No. 236 after earning 50 points for its women's basketball finish.

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 the NCAA Championships.

NEWMAC Standings 

11. MIT 849.00
33. Babson 543.50
57. Springfield 328.00
114. WPI 175.50
136. Coast Guard 143.00
158. Wheaton (MA) 111.50
171. Wellesley 99.00
180. Salve Regina 89.00
236. Smith 50.00
 
About the NEWMAC

The NEWMAC is an association of 13 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Saint Anselm College (beginning reclassification process with NCAA in 2027-28), Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 21 sports.