WESTFIELD, Mass. -- For the fifth time in six years, Westfield State claims the Howard C. Smith Cup. 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. This year’s honoree was determined by the fall and winter season standings due to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling the spring season.

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 82.50 points out of 112 possible (73.66 percent). The Owls were atop the standings in men’s basketball (tied), women’s cross country, women’s soccer and volleyball while they were second in women’s basketball, men’s cross country and men’s ice hockey. 

Coming in second is Framingham State with 74 points out of 112 possible (66.07 percent). The Rams were regular season champions in women’s basketball, football and tied in men’s soccer.  They also added a second place finish in volleyball and third in field hockey (tied) and ice hockey.

Worcester State is next in third with 68 points out of a possible 112 (60.71 percent). The Lancers collected a first place finish in men’s basketball (tied) and field hockey, tied for second in women’s soccer and was third in women’s basketball and both men’s and women’s cross country.  

Sitting in the fourth spot with 60 points out of 100 possible (60.00 percent) is Bridgewater State. The Bears came in first in men’s cross country, second in women’s cross country and football, tied for third in men’s basketball and field hockey and outright third in volleyball.

Landing in fifth is Salem State. The Vikings had 44.50 points out of 84 available (52.98 percent) after finishing  tied for first in men’s soccer, second in field hockey and women’s soccer (tied) and fifth in men’s basketball, women’s basketball (tied) and men’s ice hockey. 

Fitchburg State is in the sixth spot with 48.50 points out of 112 available (43.30 percent). The Falcons were first in men’s ice hockey, third in men’s soccer, fourth in men’s cross country, fifth in men’s basketball (tied), women’s cross country and football.

Closing out the 2019-20 standings are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Buccaneers collected 18.50 points (28.91 percent) out of 64 possible points. The team finished third in football and sixth in men’s and women’s cross country. The Trailblazers netted 20 points (26.32 percent) out of 76 possible points after coming in tied for third in men’s basketball, fourth in volleyball and tied for seventh in women’s soccer.