LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — IUP Athletics capped off one of the most successful years in department history by finishing fourth in the final PSAC Dixon Trophy standings for the 2025-26 academic year, as announced Wednesday by the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference.
The Crimson Hawks also finished second among PSAC West institutions while posting an overall department average of 10.97 points. West Chester claimed the overall Dixon Trophy title with a 12.08 average.
The Dixon Trophy is awarded annually to the top overall athletic department in the conference based on postseason finishes and regular-season standings across all sports.
For IUP, the fourth-place finish highlighted a landmark year across nearly every program in the department.
The Crimson Hawks accomplished a first under director of athletics Todd Garzarelli, as every varsity program qualified for PSAC postseason competition during the 2025-26 athletic year.
On the men's side, football led the way with a department-best 16 points after capturing the PSAC West title and finishing as PSAC runners-up to Kutztown.
Men's basketball also turned in another deep postseason run, advancing to the NCAA Atlantic Region Final. The Crimson Hawks even held a halftime lead over eventual national champion Gannon, marking just the second time all season the Golden Knights trailed at halftime.
Baseball added another strong campaign to the department's resume by finishing second in the PSAC West and advancing to the PSAC Tournament semifinals.
The women's programs helped elevate IUP into the top tier of the conference standings with multiple championship-level performances throughout the year.
Women's basketball produced one of the greatest seasons in program history by winning both the PSAC Championship and the NCAA Atlantic Regional title before advancing all the way to the NCAA Division II National Championship game, where the Crimson Hawks finished as national runners-up.
Volleyball came within one match of the Elite Eight after falling to East Stroudsburg in the PSAC semifinals before avenging that defeat during the NCAA Atlantic Regional tournament.
Women's tennis continued its dominance in the conference by winning a sixth consecutive PSAC West regular-season championship and advancing to the NCAA Round of 16 after finishing as PSAC runners-up.
Women's swimming also delivered a memorable season, finishing second at the PSAC Championships while producing two All-Americans and the conference's Most Outstanding Swimmer.
Softball rounded out the year with one of the top seasons in program history, capturing the PSAC West regular-season title, tying the school record with 38 wins and advancing to the PSAC Tournament semifinals.
The department-wide success showcased the consistency and depth of IUP athletics across all sports during the 2025-26 campaign.
