For the third year in a row, San José State Athletics has been named Best College Sports Team by readers of the Mercury News. This recognition comes after a period marked by strong athletic results, high academic achievement, and successful transitions to professional sports.
Jeff Konya, Director of Athletics at San José State University, said, “San José State has become a destination university for both athletics and academics, built on the grit, resilience, and relentless work ethic of our student-athletes, coaches, and staff. This historic recognition reflects the countless hours of preparation, sacrifice, and commitment that happen behind the scenes every day. To be honored by the readers of the Mercury News is a powerful testament to the determination and pride that define Spartan Athletics. We look forward to carrying this momentum into the spring and through the fall as we continue to raise the standard.”
Recent years have seen several notable achievements for San José State Athletics. The department reached its best-ever finish in the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup in 2024 at 85th place nationally. The school also received the NACDA Community Service Award from the Fiesta Bowl for its local impact.
The football team made history with three straight bowl game appearances. In other sports, women’s golf won Mountain West championships in 2022 and 2024 and featured Lucia Lopez Ortega as both Mountain West Golfer of the Year in 2025 and NCAA National Champion runner-up. Men’s water polo captured conference titles in 2023 and 2025.
Several programs—baseball, gymnastics, and women’s soccer—have also secured recent conference championships. The university continues to develop athletes who move on to professional leagues such as the NFL (Nick Nash), LPGA (Natasha Andrea Oon), MLB (Charles McAdoo), as well as European leagues.
Academically, San José State student-athletes posted a record collective GPA of 3.270 in Fall 2025; seventy percent maintained GPAs above 3.0.
