WESTFIELD, Mass. -- The Westfield State Owls have earned their second straight Howard C. Smith Cup after 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 closed out the year with 119 points (74.38 percent) out of 160 possible points. The Owls finished first in women’s basketball, women’s cross country, men’s and women’s outdoor track and field and men’s soccer. Landing in second is Bridgewater State with 98.5 points (66.55 percent) out of 148 points available. The Bears were the field hockey regular season champ and second in women’s cross country, softball and women’s outdoor track and field.

Fitchburg State is up next in third with 84.17 points (56.87 percent) out of 148 points. The Falcons took home a MASCAC title in men’s basketball, men’s cross country and women’s lacrosse. Worcester State wasn’t far behind in fourth with 83.17 points (51.98 percent) out of 160 points. The Lancers finished first in women’s soccer, softball and second in men’s outdoor track and field.

Taking the fifth slot is Framingham State with 76.17 points (51.46 percent) out of 148 points. The Rams claimed the football regular season title and finished second in women’s basketball and volleyball. Salem State is sixth with 57.50 points (47.92 percent) out of 120 points. The Vikings won MASCAC regular season titles in baseball and ice hockey plus tied for first with Fitchburg State in men’s basketball.

Rounding out the Howard C. Smith Cup standings are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA in seventh and eighth, respectively.The Buccaneers had 37 points (33.04 percent) out of 112 and landed in second place in baseball while finishing tied for third in men’s soccer. The Trailblazers had 34.50 points (30.80 percent) of 112 points and were atop the league in volleyball and tied for the third spot in men’s soccer.

The Final 2015-16 Howard C. Smith Cup standings are as follows:

Release Courtesy of Emily Diekelmann | MASCAC Director of Media Relations