WESTFIELD, Mass. -- After the end of the fall regular season, Westfield State has the lead in the 2024-25 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.

Looking for their fifth straight Smith Cup, the Owls used three first place finishes to sit atop the first set of standings with 68 points out of 76 possible (89.47 percent). They were first in women’s cross country, volleyball and tied for first in football while grabbing second in men’s cross country, field hockey and men’s and women’s soccer.

Close behind in second is Bridgewater State with 64 points of a possible 76 (84.21 percent). The Bears finished first in football and men’s and women’s soccer while coming in second in women’s cross country and volleyball.

Sitting in third is Worcester State. The Lancers concluded the fall season with 39.67 points (52.19 percent) out of 76 possible points. They were second in women’s soccer, tied for third in volleyball, third in field hockey, fourth in women’s cross country and men’s soccer and fifth in football.

Fitchburg State comes in fourth with 39 points (51.32 percent) out of 76 possible. The Falcons finished first in field hockey, third in men’s soccer and men’s cross country and fourth in women’s soccer. 

Landing in fifth is Framingham State. The Rams had 32.16 points (42.33 percent) out of 76 available points. They were third in women’s cross country, tied for third in football and volleyball and fourth in field hockey. 

Mass. Maritime wraps up the fall in sixth with 20.50 points (32.03 percent) out of 64 possible points. The Buccaneers were tied for third  in football, fifth in women’s cross country,  sixth in men’s cross country and volleyball.

Rounding out the fall Howard C. Smith Cup standings are MCLA and Salem State in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Trailblazers had 11.67 points (26.52 percent) out of 44 available. They were tied for third in volleyball, tied for sixth in men’s soccer and seventh in women’s cross country. The Vikings had 12 points (25.00 percent) out of 48 possible. They were fifth in men’s and women’s soccer, sixth in field hockey and eighth in volleyball. 

The next round of Howard C. Smith Cup standings will be released following the conclusion of the winter sports regular seasons in March.