OVERLAND PARK, Kan. – The Heart of America Athletic Conference announced Benedictine College as the recipient of the 2025-26 Visit Overland Park (VisitOP) Commissioner's Cup, recognizing the conference member institution with the highest level of athletic achievement across Heart-sponsored sports during the academic year.
Heart Commissioner Nik Rule presented the VisitOP Commissioner's Cup trophy to Benedictine during the 2026 Heart Summit on Wednesday, June 4, in Overland Park, Kansas.
"We are excited to bring back the Commissioner's Cup to Atchison and the Benedictine campus," said Benedictine AD Charlie Gartenmayer. "Congratulations to our student-athletes, coaches and support staff on their efforts to strive for greatness. Earning the Commissioner's Cup is a testament to department-wide commitment to winning within the mission of Benedictine College."
The Ravens finished atop the final VisitOP Commissioner's Cup standings with a score of .740, surpassing MidAmerica Nazarene University (.725). Grand View University finished third at .679, followed by Park University (.677) and Mount Mercy University (.658).
"The VisitOP Commissioner's Cup represents the commitment to excellence displayed throughout an athletic department, from student-athletes and coaches to administrators and support staff," Rule said. "Benedictine demonstrated remarkable consistency across multiple sports this year, competing for championships and representing the Heart at the highest levels of the NAIA. We congratulate the Ravens on an outstanding year and this well-deserved accomplishment."
Benedictine's success was fueled by strong performances across several programs throughout the 2025-26 academic year.
The Ravens football team captured the Heart South Division title, finishing 12-1 overall and 6-0 in conference play while advancing to the NAIA Football Championship Series Semifinals. Benedictine concluded the season ranked No. 3 in the final NAIA Football Coaches' Top 25 Poll.
Women's cross country claimed the Heart Championship with 30 points, securing the program's fifth conference title since 2020 and seventh overall.
Men's lacrosse earned the Heart regular-season championship after posting a 12-2 overall record and 8-1 conference mark. The Ravens finished the year ranked No. 9 in the final NAIA Men's Lacrosse Coaches' Top 10 Poll.
Women's lacrosse continued its national dominance, capturing both the Heart regular-season and tournament championships before completing a perfect 19-0 season and winning a second consecutive NAIA National Championship. Benedictine enters the 2026-27 season riding a 40-game winning streak.
The Ravens also claimed the Heart Men's Outdoor Track & Field Championship, totaling 147 points and recording 24 All-Heart performances during the conference meet.
The 2025-26 VisitOP Commissioner's Cup marks Benedictine's second overall Commissioner's Cup. Raven Athletics earned the inaugural title at the end of the 2018-19 academic year.
2025-26 VisitOP Commissioner's Cup Final Standings
- Benedictine – .740
- MidAmerica Nazarene – .725
- Grand View – .679
- Park – .677
- Mount Mercy – .658
- Missouri Baptist – .637
- Central Methodist – .634
- William Penn – .613
- William Woods – .516
- Baker – .500
- Missouri Valley – .449
- Clarke – .378
- Graceland – .303
- Culver-Stockton – .300
- Peru State – .280
For more information on the VisitOP Commissioner's Cup, including its history and methodology, visit here.
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