WESTFIELD, Mass. -- With the conclusion of winter regular season, Westfield State retains their 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.

Continuing to sit in first place, the Owls have 97.67 points (87.20 percent) out of 112 possible. During the winter season, Westfield State finished first in men’s basketball and tied for second in men’s ice hockey and women’s basketball.

Landing in second place is Bridgewater State with 79.50 points (79.50 percent) out of 100 points available. The Bears closed out the regular season first in women’s basketball and fifth in men’s basketball.

Worcester State comes up next in third with 59.67 points (53.27 percent) out of 112 available points. The Lancers were tied for second in men’s ice hockey, third in men’s basketball and fifth in women’s basketball.

Salem State sits in fourth with 41.67 points (49.60 percent) out of 84 available. The Vikings were atop the standings in men’s ice hockey, second in men’s basketball and tied for second in women’s basketball.

Coming in fifth with 49 points (43.7 percent) out of 112 possible is Fitchburg State. The Falcons landed in fourth in men’s ice hockey, sixth in women’s basketball and seventh in men’s basketball.

Sitting in sixth is Framingham State with 48.33 points (48.33 percent) out of 112 available points. The Rams tied for second in women’s basketball, fourth in men’s basketball and tied for fifth in men’s ice hockey.

Rounding out the winter Howard C. Smith Cup standings are Mass. Maritime and MCLA in seventh and eighth, respectively. After the fall, the Buccaneers had 20.50 points (32.03 percent) out of 64 possible. The Buccaneers currently do not compete in winter sports. For the Trailblazers, they collected 18.67 points (27.45 percent) out of 68 available. They ended the winter tied for fifth in men’s ice hockey and sixth in men’s basketball.

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