The National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics Learfield Sports Directors' Cup is a program that honors institutions maintaining a broad-based program, achieving success in many sports, both men's and women's. Began in 1993-94 for Division I by NACDA and USA Today, it was expanded in 1995-96 to include Division II, III and the NAIA.

Each institution is awarded points in a pre-determined number of sports for men and women. The overall champion is the institution that records the highest number of points in its division's Directors' Cup standings. The winner receives a crystal trophy.

North Central year-by-year standings
1995-96: 76th (147 points)
1996-97: 61st (172 points)
1997-98: 13th (290 points)
1998-99: 22nd (210 points)
1999-00: 37th (281 points)
2000-01: 39th (296 points)
2001-02: 30th (324 points)
2002-03: 94th (153.25 points)
2003-04: 51st (252.50 points)
2004-05: 37th (298.50 points)
2005-06: 38th (312.875 points)
2006-07: 31st (412.25 points)
2007-08: 45th (346.75 points)
2008-09: 30th (447.5 points)
2009-10: 25th (531.50 points)
2010-11: 17th (597.75 points)
2011-12: 22nd (523 points)
2012-13: 20th (561.50 points)
2013-14: 21st (511 points)
2014-15: 24th (517 points)
2015-16: 38th (438 points)
2016-17: 33rd (447 points)
2017-18: 39th (426.50 points)
2018-19: 32nd (456 points)
2021-22: 22nd (649 points)
2022-23: 24th (607.50 points)
2023-24: 33rd (503.50 points) 
2024-25: 25th (605.85 points) 
2025-26: 44th (400.75 points)