For the first time in school history, the Chaparrals' athletic program ranks at the top of the nation's junior colleges for 2022-23.
 
COD earned the prestigious LEARFIELD Directors' Cup after a record-setting year that saw the Chaps win four NJCAA championships and total six top-three finishes at national competitions.

"Earning this prestigious award is an incredible accomplishment,'' COD Director of Athletics and Recreation Ryan Kaiser said. "COD Athletics had a remarkable 2022-23 in every sense. Winning four national championships with six top-three NJCAA championships takes dedication, skill, determination and teamwork. COD enjoyed a dream season from beginning to end. Our student-athletes and competed at a high level and winning this award encapsulates performing at our very best.''

The Chaps joined fellow winners Stanford University (NCAA Division I), Grand Valley State University (NCAA Division II), Johns Hopkins University (NCAA Division III) and Indiana Institute of Technology (NAIA) as this year's champions. All five institutions were recognized at the annual NACDA Convention on June 13 in Orlando, Fla.
 
"This accolade is a monumental testament to COD Athletics' extraordinary year, which garnered the College four national championships and many more top-three finishes," said College of DuPage President Dr. Brian Caputo. "College of DuPage is proud to stand among this year's high-caliber field of LEARFIELD recipients. Director of Athletics and Recreation Ryan Kaiser and his entire staff should be incredibly proud of this distinction."
 
The Chaps became just the second non-scholarship program in the Cup's 12-year history and the first since Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester County in 2013.  
 
National championships in men's cross country, women's volleyball, football and men's track and field propelled the Chaparrals to the title, finishing ahead of Mt. San Antonio College of Walnut, Calif.
 
COD teams also finished second in women's track and field and third in men's golf. The Chaps were fifth in women's cross country, sixth in men's tennis and eighth in women's tennis.
  
COD's 2022-23 season saw six Region 4 titles (men's and women's basketball, softball, women's volleyball, men's cross country and men's golf), 48 individual All-American honors in 10 sports, 35 NCAA individual academic honors and four programs (softball, women's cross country, men's cross country and baseball) recognized by the NJCAA for academic excellence.
 
Four Chaparrals earned National Player of the Year honors (Chloey Myers, volleyball; Guy Goss, football; Nicholas Keeling, cross country; and Noah Mack, track and field).
 
Three coaches earned National Coach of the Year honors (Matthew Rahn, Football; Tolis Koskinaris, Women's Volleyball; and Robert Cervenka, men's cross country and men's track and field).
 
COD's 11 sports with won-loss records accumulated a combined 161-98-5 record, a .610 winning percentage.
 
NATYCAA's Daktronics Cup
For the second time in three years and the eighth time in history, COD won the NATYCCAA Cup, sponsored by Daktronics, in the NJCAA Non-Scholarship Division.
 
The Chaps, who finished second last season, totaled 158 points, finishing ahead of Rowan College of South Jersey-Gloucester County (148.5) and Suffolk County CC (120.5).
 
Colleges are allowed to use their top-five finishes per gender at their highest level of competition to earn points for the Daktronics Cup. The champions of each competition score 20 points, second-place scores 19, third-place 18, etc.

COD previously won the Daktronics Cup in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2021.
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The LEARFIELD Directors' Cup was developed as a joint effort between the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution's finish in NJCAA Championships.
 
The NATYCAA Cup sponsored by Daktronics recognizes excellence in two-year college athletics based on success in championship competition across all sports. The program is divided into three categories: NJCAA Scholarship, NJCAA Non-Scholarship and State Associations.