In a feat never before accomplished in NCAA history, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln has been crowned the nation’s top athletic program for 2025 after achieving a historic sweep across five major sports benchmarks. The Cornhuskers made an emphatic statement in the world of collegiate athletics by becoming the first and only school to reach the following: win a National Championship, reach the Final Four in men’s basketball, compete in the Women’s College World Series, host a Softball Regional, and appear in a major Bowl Game—all in the same academic year.
This stunning run caps off what many are calling the most successful all-around athletic season by any school in modern NCAA history. It reflects not just the excellence of individual teams but the collective strength of Nebraska’s athletic department, coaching leadership, and deep-rooted sports culture.
The football team laid the groundwork early, finishing a resurgent season with a 12-2 record and a triumphant victory in the Fiesta Bowl, reclaiming national respect and solidifying Nebraska’s gridiron resurgence under head coach Matt Rhule. The momentum carried into winter, where the men’s basketball team shocked the nation with a Cinderella run to the Final Four—its deepest postseason journey ever.
Not to be outdone, Nebraska’s softball team continued its dominance on the diamond. They hosted and swept through a competitive regional before advancing all the way to the Women’s College World Series, finishing as national runners-up. Meanwhile, the women’s volleyball team captured its 6th national title, sealing Nebraska’s spot atop the overall rankings.
University officials, student-athletes, and fans are already hailing the 2024–25 academic year as the “Golden Year” in Cornhusker history. Athletic Director Trev Alberts called the achievement “a testament to our student-athletes’ character and the support from every corner of Husker Nation.”
With this unprecedented quintuple, Nebraska not only etched its name in the record books but also redefined what’s possible in collegiate athletics.
