WESTFIELD, Mass. -- After the conclusion of the fall regular season, Westfield State has the lead in the first round of the Howard C. Smith Cup standings. 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 took home 54.17 points (71.27 percent) out of 76 possible points. The Owls finished first in both men's and women's cross country while also having the best record among the MASCAC schools in field hockey. Coming in second less than two points off of Westfield State is Framingham State with 52.67 points (69.30 percent) out of 76 points available. The Rams were regular season champions in both volleyball and football which helped them to land the second slot. 

Next up is Bridgewater State in third with 48.33 points (63.60 percent) of 76 points. The Bears were the MASCAC Men's Soccer regular season champions while finishing as the runner-up in men's and women's cross country. Close behind in fourth is Worcester State with 47.83 points (62.94 percent) of 76 possible. The Lancers ended the fall as the women's soccer regular season champions and second in volleyball.

Fitchburg State finished the fall season with 33.50 points (52.34 percent) out of 64 points available, good enough for fifth. The Falcons closed out the regular season second in football and third in both men's soccer and cross country. Massachusetts Maritime lands in the sixth spot with 22.50 points (35.16 percent) out of 64 possible. The Buccaneers were second in the final men's soccer regular season standings and fifth in men's cross country.

Rounding out the Fall Howard C. Smith Cup standings are MCLA and Salem State in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Trailblazers had 15 points (28.85 percent) out of 52 possible. The Trailblazers were fifth in the final volleyball and men's soccer regular season standings. Salem State finished with 16 points (25.00 percent) out of 64 available points. The Vikings were fourth at the end of the regular season in women's soccer.

During the 2013-14 season, Bridgewater State earned their third straight Howard C. Smith Cup and 14th honor since the award was founded in 1972. 

The 2014-15 Howard C. Smith Cup standings through the fall sports seasons are as follows: