
Ohio State reaffirmed its dominance across the collegiate athletic landscape by being named the men’s winner of the 2024–25 Capital One Cup, awarded annually to the top overall men’s and women’s athletic programs in the country. Backed by a national championship in football and six additional top-10 national finishes, the Buckeyes separated themselves from the rest of the field. This marks Ohio State’s second Capital One Cup win on the men’s side, having previously claimed the honor in the 2016–17 season. It’s yet another testament to the sustained excellence and championship standard that defines Ohio State athletics.

The Buckeyes compiled 113.5 points in the Capital One Cup standings, outpacing second-place Penn State by a wide margin of 31.5 points. While the football team’s title set the tone, Ohio State also excelled across multiple sports, with men’s soccer finishing third, fencing placing fourth, wrestling tying for fifth, tennis ranked sixth, gymnastics seventh, and lacrosse ninth. These achievements reflect not only the depth of talent across Ohio State’s men’s programs but also the culture of competitiveness and consistency that permeates the athletic department. Representing the university at the ESPY Awards in Los Angeles, football standouts Will Howard, Gee Scott Jr., and Cody Simon accepted the honor on behalf of the entire department, as Capital One awarded Ohio State $250,000 toward student-athlete scholarships.

In a statement, athletic director Ross Bjork praised the collective effort behind the Buckeyes’ banner year, emphasizing the leadership of student-athletes, coaches, and support staff. “We had a highly successful and memorable year on the field in 2024–25, a testament to the hard work, dedication and commitment to excellence that our student-athletes display,” Bjork said. Though Ohio State’s women’s programs finished 34th in the standings, the men’s title further solidifies the Buckeyes’ national standing across all major sports. With the Capital One Cup in hand, Ohio State fans can take pride knowing their school continues to lead the way in athletic excellence on the national stage.