Hopkins Athletics was awarded the 2022-23 Learfield Directors' Cup for the first time in school history after scoring in 19 total sports, of which 14 teams boasted top-10 finishes. The D-III cup was secured by Hopkins with a total of 1,282 points, which was over 100 more points than second-place Tufts University.
At halftime of the football game against Gettysburg on Oct. 6, all of the fall and spring athletes arrived at midfield in special T-shirts to celebrate the occasion.
Last season, women's cross country and women's soccer teams both won national championships. Women's field hockey finished as the runner-up, and men's soccer reached the quarterfinals.
Hopkins has finished in the top 10 in the Learfield Directors' Cup standings for five straight years and 10 of the last 11 years. Hopkins also posted a school record and national best of 32 Academic All-Americans last year.
Jennifer Baker, the Associate Vice Provost and Director of Athletics and Recreation, spoke in front of a packed crowd at Homewood Field.
"Today is a proud day for Hopkins. It seems only fitting for an institution that has been defined not only by its relentless pursuit of excellence but also by countless firsts that we gather together to mark yet another first," she said.
A hype video followed the speeches and highlighted some of the best moments of Hopkins sports from both the spring and fall.
"It is not easy to win this. But what you see here reflects commitment, teamwork, hard work and resilience that you don't find on every campus; we find it here," Baker said.
Baker gave credit to everyone for making this award possible, including students, alumni, athletes, parents, faculty and more.
"I want to thank you for your belief in us, for your support and for helping us get here today to mark this occasion. It is a privilege for us to compete for Hopkins, and I am incredibly proud of all of our team's achievements both in sports and in the classroom,“ she said. “Each of us represents all of us. Tonight, we are all Blue Jays. This is ours, and I can't thank you enough for being here to celebrate this achievement with us and for helping us to stand here together as one."
Hopkins football entered the half up 42-7 and finished the game in dominant fashion, winning 49-28, a testament to the performance of all of the Hopkins sports teams celebrating an outstanding year.
