The Orange Athletics program earned its highest ranking in school history in the National Association of Collegiate Director's of Athletics (NACDA) Learfield Sports Director's Cup standings. The Orange is fifth nationally, scoring points in field hockey and men's and women's cross country. The Orange field hockey squad earned 60 points for advancing to the second round of the NCAA Championship, while the men's cross country team scored 48 points for its 14th-place finish at the NCAA Championship and the women netted 38 points for its 18th-place finish at nationals. 

“The goal is to consistently be a top 25 program,” said Director of Athletics Dr. Daryl Gross. “The top-five ranking now is a sign of the future. We will keep moving forward. We are not just trying to graduate our kids, but also develop leaders who can go and make an impact on society and represent Syracuse in a way that will make us all proud. We feel like we are accomplishing those things. It is a really exciting time for us as it all starts to flourish.”

Head coach Ange Bradley directed the eighth-ranked field hockey squad to its second consecutive NCAA Championship. The 2009 BIG EAST Champions advanced to the second round of the tournament.

The women's cross country team, under the direction of head coach Chris Fox, competed at the NCAA Championship for the second time in school history. The Orange garnered its highest ranking in program history when it reached the 10th in 2009 and finished the season ranked No. 12th. The men's squad finished the season ranked ninth nationally, which is the highest ranking in school history.

In 2008-09 Syracuse had its best year in history with a school-record 330.0 points. Six Orange teams scored points for advancing to post-season competition, including the men's lacrosse National Championship, field hockey in the Final Four, men's basketball in the Sweet 16, women's lacrosse in the NCAA Tournament quarterfinals, women's cross country in the NCAA Championship, and men's track and field All-American distance runner Kyle Heath in the NCAA outdoor championship. The Orange ranked 63rd out of 271 universities in the final standings.