The Lumberjacks' fourth-place finish marks the highest placement in department history and ties the program's previous best finish from the 2014-15 academic year.
The fourth-place showing is also just the third top-five finish in department history and highlights the continued rise of Humboldt Athletics within the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
Cal Poly Humboldt totaled 73.56 points to finish fourth among the conference's 12 member institutions, trailing only Cal Poly Pomona, Chico State, and Cal State San Marcos.
The Lumberjacks' rise from 11th place in 2024-25 to fourth place this season represents a seven-place improvement, the second-largest jump in CCAA Commissioner's Cup history.
"Over the past three years, we have made significant progress in advancing our athletics programs," said Cal Poly Humboldt Executive Director of Athletics, Dr. Nick Pettit. "The dedication of our coaches and staff, combined with strong support from the university, has positioned us to pursue excellence both academically and athletically. Sustained success requires a collective commitment, and I am proud of the work our department has done to elevate the student-athlete experience while achieving success at an elevated level. Earning our position in the CCAA Commissioner's Cup standings is an important milestone for our university and a reflection of the progress we have made together. We look forward to continuing that momentum in the years ahead."
The 2025-26 academic year was one of unprecedented success for Humboldt's CCAA-sponsored programs. Four Lumberjack teams finished third place or better in the conference standings, the most in department history during the CCAA era. Humboldt also recorded seven top-five conference finishes, tying the department record for the most top-five finishes by CCAA-sponsored teams.
The Robert J. Hiegert Commissioner's Cup is awarded annually to the CCAA institution that demonstrates the highest level of competitive success across conference-sponsored sports. Points are awarded based on conference regular-season and championship finishes, with standings reflecting overall departmental achievement throughout the academic year.
2025-26 CCAA Robert J. Hiegert Commissioner's Cup Standings
| Rank | Institution | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cal Poly Pomona | 93.93 |
| 2 | Chico State | 87.71 |
| 3 | Cal State San Marcos | 85.72 |
| 4 | Cal Poly Humboldt | 73.56 |
| 5 | Cal State East Bay | 72.51 |
| 6 | Cal State LA | 70.90 |
| 7 | Cal State San Bernardino | 70.73 |
| 8 | Stanislaus State | 65.35 |
| 9 | Cal State Monterey Bay | 62.81 |
| 10 | Cal State Dominguez Hills | 57.88 |
| 11 | San Francisco State | 27.24 |
| 12 | UC Merced | 20.33 |
Humboldt's historic finish serves as another milestone in the department's upward trajectory and reflects the collective success of its student-athletes, coaches and staff throughout the 2025-26 academic year.