WESTFIELD, Mass. -- Following the completion of the winter sports season, Westfield State maintains their advantage in the 2022-23 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 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.

The Owls held on to first place with 80.17 points (71.58 percent) of 112 possible points. They tied for second in both men’s and women’s basketball while coming in third in men’s ice hockey.

Right behind in second place is Bridgewater State with 68 points (68  percent) out of 100 available. The Bears were top of the standings in women’s basketball and tied for second in men’s basketball.

Worcester State is next in third with 71.50 points (63.84 percent) out of 112 possible points. The Lancers finished first in men’s basketball and men’s ice hockey while tying for fourth in women’s basketball. 

Framingham State remains in fourth with 69.67 points (62.20 percent) out of 112 available. The Rams tied for second in women’s basketball, fourth in hockey and seventh in men’s basketball.

Coming in fifth with 53.17 points (47.47 percent) out of 112 possible is Fitchburg State. The Falcons were second in men’s ice hockey, fifth in men’s basketball and tied for sixth in women’s basketball.

Sitting in sixth is Salem State is with 33 points (39.29 percent) out of 84 available points. The Vikings ended the regular season fourth in men’s basketball, tied for fourth in women’s basketball and fifth in men’s ice hockey.

Closing out the winter Howard C. Smith Cup standings are MCLA and Massachusetts Maritime in seventh and eighth, respectively. For the Trailblazers, they collected 22.50 points (29.61 percent) out of 76 available. They ended the winter sixth in men’s basketball and tied for sixth in women’s basketball. The Buccaneers had 18 points (28.13 percent) out of 64 possible. The Buccaneers do not compete in winter sports due to their sea term for school. 

The final Smith Cup standings will be announced following the completion of the spring sports season in May.