WORCESTER, Mass. – Worcester State University has been slotted second out of the eight institutions in the Howard C. Smith Cup following the completion of the spring season.
The Smith Cup is awarded annually to the member institution which compiles the most points based on the placement of each of its programs competing in the 15 league championship sports. The Smith Cup is named in honor of former Massachusetts State College Trustee Howard C. Smith, who in 1970, urged the athletic directors of the eight State institutions to hold a series of meetings to discuss the possibility of forming an intercollegiate conference. In June of 1971, Smith's dream became a reality as an affirmative agreement was reached and the MASCAC was created.
Westfield State finished out the year first with 116.50 points (72.81 percent) out of a possible 160 points. The Owls took home the top spot in men's and women's cross country, women's basketball, women's outdoor track and field and baseball. They also finished second in field hockey, volleyball, women's soccer, women's lacrosse and softball.
Sitting in the second spot is Worcester State with 105.50 points (65.94 percent) out of a possible 160 points. The Lancers began the year with first place finishes in field hockey and both men's and women's soccer. They also earned the top slot in men's outdoor track and field while sitting in second in women's cross country and ice hockey.
Bridgewater State is next in third with 90.50 points (61.15 percent) out of 148 possible points. The Bears were atop the standings in football and women's lacrosse, tied for second in field hockey, second in men's outdoor and third in men's cross country and women's soccer.
Landing in fourth is Framingham State who earned 86 points (58.11) out of 148 available points. The Rams grabbed the most points in volleyball and softball then added a second place finish in football and women's basketball and third in women's lacrosse.
Salem State is in the fifth slot with 57 points (47.50 percent) out of 120 available points. The Vikings were first in ice hockey, second in men's basketball and baseball and tied for third with Worcester State in softball. Fitchburg State comes up next in sixth with 67 points (45.27 percent) out of 148 possible points. The Falcons tabbed the most points in men's basketball, second in men's cross country, tied for third in baseball and fourth in women's cross country and field hockey.
Closing out this year's standings are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Buccaneers finished the year with 37 points (33.04 percent) out of 112 possible points. They were second in men's soccer, third in football, fifth in men's cross country and sixth in women's cross country. The Trailblazers had 30.50 points (27.23 percent) out of 112 available points. They were third in volleyball, tied for fourth in men's soccer, tied for fifth in women's basketball and baseball.
Release Courtesy of Emily Loux | MASCAC Director of Media Relations