University of Northern Iowa Athletics
UNI takes fourth in 2025-26 MVC All-Sports Trophy race
5/28/2026 2:00:00 PM | General
Panthers tied for a league-high four championships this past year, the most in six years.
ST. LOUIS --- The University of Northern Iowa claimed fourth place in the race for the Missouri Valley Conference's (MVC) All-Sport Trophy during the 2025-26 school year, as announced by the league office on Thursday.
Northern Iowa, which finished second a year ago, has now finished in the top-five seven times in the last ten years. Illinois State won the MVC All-Sports Trophy title for the second straight season and fifth time in the last six years, while Murray State followed in second and Indiana State in third.
During the 2025-26 season, the Panthers swept the MVC's regular season and tournament championships for a fourth consecutive year in volleyball, while the men's track and field team placed first at the MVC Indoor Championships back in March for a second consecutive season. UNI also captured the MVC men's basketball tournament crown in St. Louis, becoming the lowest seeded team and first team to begin in the opening round of "Arch Madness" to win the title.
Northern Iowa's four conference championships in 2025-26 tied with UIC for the most in the league this year, as well as the most for the university since also winning four championships during the 2019-20 school year.
The All-Sports Trophy, which was first awarded following the 1949-50 athletic season, is based on a school's average finish in each of the sponsored championships by the MVC. Teams are awarded 11 points for first, ten for second, nine for third, etc., and the total accumulated points are divided by the number of sports in which a particular school competes. For sports not sponsored by every MVC school, the points decrease by number of competing schools.
Finishes in baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball are based on regular-season competition. However, institutions receive three bonus points for each league post-season championship earned in those aforementioned sports. All other sports are determined by finish at the championship tournament or championship meet.
"On the heels of the most successful Missouri Valley Conference season in UNI Athletics history, Panther sports teams tied for the most conference titles in the league demonstrating the depth and breadth of success across the department," said UNI Director of Athletics Megan Franklin. "We celebrate those successes all the while we strive to stand apart at the top of the league as part of the strategic goals for UNI Athletics."
Northern Iowa also finished in the top-five in seven other sports, including runner-up finishes in both men's and women's outdoor track and field, third place in women's indoor track and field, fourth in women's basketball and softball, as well as fifth in women's cross country and swimming and diving.
2025-26 MVC ALL-SPORTS TROPHY STANDINGS (Top-Five) [Championships Won]
- Illinois State - 8.857 [3]
- Murray State - 8.814 [3]
- Indiana State - 7.719 [3]
- UNI - 7.252 [4]
- Drake - 7.101 [2]
UNI Athletics action can be followed all year long on social media on Facebook (UNI Athletics), X (@UNIAthletics) and on Instagram (@uniathletics). Schedules and rosters, along with the latest Panther news and information can be found online at UNIpanthers.com.
