ARIZONA STATE NAMED BEST ATHLETIC PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY IN 2025
Only School to Win National Championship, Make WCWS, Final Four, Bowl Game, and Baseball Regional
In a historic, unprecedented sweep of collegiate athletics, Arizona State University (ASU) was officially named the top overall athletic program in the country for 2025. In a feat unmatched by any other institution in NCAA history, ASU became the only school to:
Win a National Championship (Football – 2025 College Football Playoff)
Advance to the Women’s College World Series (WCWS)
Make the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four
Compete in a major Bowl Game (and win it)
Host and win a Baseball Regional
The Sun Devils lit the national stage on fire across multiple sports, silencing critics and validating a decade of strategic investment in elite coaching, state-of-the-art facilities, and top-tier athlete recruitment.
The crown jewel was the football program’s meteoric rise. Under Head Coach Kenny Dillingham, the Sun Devils shocked the world by going 13-1, capped by a stunning 27-24 win over powerhouse Michigan in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Quarterback Treyson Moore, a true sophomore, emerged as a household name, throwing for 300+ yards and 3 touchdowns in the title game and earning Offensive MVP honors.
Meanwhile, the Sun Devil women’s softball team, led by All-American pitcher Lana Rivera, advanced to the WCWS semifinals in Oklahoma City, defeating perennial contender Florida State in an extra-inning thriller. Rivera finished the season with a staggering 0.98 ERA and a school-record 14 shutouts.
Not to be outdone, ASU men’s basketball, seeded No. 6 in the NCAA Tournament, stormed to the Final Four, toppling bluebloods like Duke and Kansas along the way. Senior guard Marcus Hill etched his name in Sun Devil lore by hitting the game-winner in overtime against Kentucky in the Elite Eight.
In baseball, ASU hosted the Tempe Regional, where they went undefeated. First baseman Jaxon Blake slugged three home runs in the clinching game, securing the team’s spot in the Super Regionals. Though they fell short of Omaha, the dominance at every level showcased the depth of the Sun Devils’ athletic excellence.
Even the Sun Bowl victory, a 35-21 takedown of Iowa, underscored the football team’s consistency and depth—one of many reasons they topped the Learfield Directors’ Cup standings, previously dominated by Stanford.
This banner year didn’t happen by accident. ASU President Michael Crow and Athletic Director Ray Anderson emphasized long-term vision, aggressive NIL strategy, and academic-athletic synergy. Recruiting classes across all major sports ranked in the top 10 nationally, and a new $150 million performance center opened in early 2024 played a major role in training and recovery.
As chants of “Forks Up!” echoed from Tempe to Times Square, one truth became undeniable: in 2025, Arizona State was the epicenter of college sports excellence. With trophies in hand and momentum at their backs, the Sun Devils aren’t just living in history—they’re redefining the future of college athletics.
Go Sun Devils.
