Worcester, Mass. –Worcester State finished fourth in the 2022-23 Howard C. Smith Cup challenge. 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 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 the year with 117.84 points out of 160 possible (73.65 percent). Coming in second is Bridgewater State with 106.34 points out of 148 possible (71.85 percent). Rounding out the top three is Framingham State with 104.34 points (67.75 percent) out of 154 available.
Sitting in the fourth spot with 96.84 points out of 160 possible (60.53 percent) is Worcester State. The Lancers came in first in field hockey, men’s basketball and men’s ice hockey, tied for second in women’s lacrosse and softball and third in men’s soccer. Worcester State claimed two MASCAC Championships this season with Men’s Soccer and Men’s Basketball each bringing home the trophy. Men’s Ice Hockey also set a MASCAC record number of wins this season, ending the season with 12 wins and a championship appearance.
Landing in fifth is Fitchburg State. The Falcons had 70.17 points out of 160 available (43.85 percent) while Salem State is in the sixth spot with 40.50 points out of 120 available (33.75 percent). Closing out the 2022-23 standings are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA in seventh and eighth, respectively.
The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation’s first Division III men’s and women’s playing conference, has a rich and storied tradition of competitive success while celebrating excellence in the classroom. MASCAC member schools include Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. Two other institutions, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University, are affiliate members of the conference in the sports of football and men’s ice hockey, while Western Connecticut State University joined the conference as a football affiliate member in 2013. Dean College, Eastern Nazarene College, Elms College, Mitchell College and Springfield College joined as men’s golf affiliates in 2019 and New England College in 2021.