SPOKANE, Wash. (July 26, 2026) – For the first time in four years, Northern Arizona University Athletics secured the Big Sky Conference Presidents' Cup following an announcement by the league office. The Presidents' Cup was presented at the Big Sky Kickoff at Northern Quest Resort & Casino Sunday evening.
The Presidents' Cup win is the department's first since the 2021-22 season and their sixth all-time, pulling even with Weber State for the most by a Big Sky Conference institution. NAU also previously won the Presidents' Cup in 2005-06, 2012-13, 2013-14 and 2020-21.
"This Presidents' Cup belongs to our student-athletes and the coaches and staff who push them to excel every day in the classroom and in competition," said NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera. "Our men's and women's programs excelled all season, and we reached new heights in academic achievement. The Presidents' Cup is a reflection of what excellence means for our Lumberjack community: student-athletes who are winners in the classroom, in competition, and throughout their communities. I can't wait to build on the success of this past season as we prepare for a great 2026-27."
Presented annually since 2002-03, the Presidents' Cup is given to the conference institution that excels both academically and athletically. On the athletic side, final regular season standings in eight of the league's 16 sports factor into the Presidents' Cup criteria. Points are also awarded in men's and women's cross country, indoor and outdoor track & field, and men's and women's golf according to a team's finish at the Big Sky Championship. Teams receive an average point total per sport and are ranked accordingly.
The academic tier measures each institution's academic progress rate (APR) from the previous year and each team's grade point average (GPA) in Big Sky sponsored sports for the current year.
Behind NAU in the final 2025-26 Big Sky Presidents' Cup standings were Idaho – last year's winner – and Montana State in a tie for second. Idaho State and Weber State tied for fourth.
"Our student-athletes, coaches and staff pushed through adversity in 2025-26 and the Presidents' Cup is a testament to their commitment to excellence," said NAU Vice President and Director of Athletics
Dr. Richard Duran. "Not only did they win championships, but they continued to exemplify what it truly means to be champions in the classroom in the ever-changing collegiate athletics landscape. I'm extremely proud to lead our Lumberjacks into the upcoming season and I want to congratulate everyone on this achievement."
NAU's women's programs led the charge, athletically, in 2025-26 repeating as the Big Sky Women's All-Sports Trophy winner. The Lumberjacks won Big Sky Championships in volleyball, cross country, indoor track & field and golf, while also placing second in outdoor track & field and tennis. NAU also claimed the conference title in its debut season in the Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, although that did not factor into the Presidents' Cup.
The Lumberjack men's programs swept the cross country, indoor track & field and outdoor track & field titles last season. The men's tennis team also claimed both the Big Sky regular season and tournament championships.
During the 2024-25 academic year, the department posted an APR of 994. For the current academic year, all Lumberjack programs compiled a team GPA of 3.21 or better. A total of 192 student-athletes earned Big Sky All-Academic honors in 2025-26.
Big Sky Presidents' Cup Annual Winners
2002-03 – Weber State
2003-04 – Weber State
2004-05 – Montana State
2005-06 – Northern Arizona
2006-07 – Montana
2007-08 – Weber State
2008-09 – Weber State
2009-10 – Eastern Washington
2010-11 – Montana
2011-12 – Montana State
2012-13 – Northern Arizona
2013-14 – Northern Arizona
2014-15 – Eastern Washington
2015-16 – Eastern Washington
2016-17 – North Dakota
2017-18 – Eastern Washington
2018-19 – Weber State
2019-20 – Presidents' Cup not awarded
2020-21 – Northern Arizona
2021-22 – Northern Arizona
2022-23 – Montana State
2023-24 – Weber State
2024-25 – Idaho
2025-26 – Northern Arizona
