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Date: 5/11/2015
WESTFIELD – The Westfield State Owls have claimed their 11th Howard C. Smith Cup and first since 2010-11 after the conclusion of the spring season last week. The Smith Cup is awarded annually to the member institution that 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 with 119.67 points (74.79 percent) out of 160 possible points after the end of the spring season. The Owls took home the MASCAC women’s lacrosse regular season title and the men’s outdoor track and field crown while finishing third in women’s outdoor track and field.
“We’re excited to bring the Smith Cup back to Westfield State,” Westfield State Director of Athletics Richard Lenfest said. “Our student athletes had a spectacular year of competition, and the Cup is emblematic of the hard work they put in; as well as the dedication of our, fans, coaches, staff and administration in supporting our programs and creating opportunities and an environment where our students can be successful. It’s a great rivalry among the teams in our league, and everyone at Westfield relishes the competition with our sister schools.”
Landing in the second spot is Bridgewater State who ended the year with 97.99 points (66.22 percent) out of a possible 148 points. The Bears finished first in women’s outdoor track and field and tied for second in women’s lacrosse.
Worcester State moved up to the third spot following the spring season with 100.99 points (63.12 percent) out of 160 available points. The Lancers took home the MASCAC softball regular season title, a share of the women’s outdoor track and field crown and baseball regular season title. Next up is Framingham State in fourth with 78.16 points (52.82 percent) out of 148 points. The Rams were fourth in baseball and tied for fifth in softball.
Fitchburg State ended the spring season with 71.66 points (48.42 percent) out of 148 points available, good enough for fifth. The Falcons closed out the regular season tied for second in women’s lacrosse. Salem State lands in the sixth spot with 51.50 points (37.87 percent) out of 136 possible points. The Vikings ended the baseball regular season tied for first in the standings.
Rounding out the final Howard C. Smith Cup standings are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Buccaneers had 39.50 points (35.27 percent) out of 112 possible after earning a share of the baseball regular season title. MCLA finished with 32.50 points (29.02 percent) out of 112 available points. The Trailblazers finished tied for second in the softball regular season standings.
The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation’s oldest 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 an affiliate member in football beginning in 2013.