Westfield State Wins 2006-07 Smith Cup
Westfield State recently won the 2006-07 Howard C. Smith Cup - awarded to the top overall athletics program in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) each year.
WESTFIELD STATE WINS THE 2006-07 HOWARD C. SMITH CUP
WESTFIELD, MA, May 12, 2007 - The highly coveted
Smith Cup trophy - emblematic of the top program in the
Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) - is
Westfield State College's for the 2006-2007 academic year.
In one of the closest competitions in 35 years, Westfield State
finished strong to edge perennial power Bridgewater State by 2.5
points, giving the Owls the Smith Cup championship for the second
time in five years. Westfield has won or shared the Smith Cup six
times since it was the first champion in 1973.
"This is an outstanding honor for Westfield State College," said
second-year athletics director Richard Lenfest.
"On behalf of the college, I want to congratulate our
student-athletes and coaches for their dedication and success
throughout the year. The college and the alumni are very proud of
their efforts and accomplishments.
"The administration has been extremely supportive and believes in
the positive impact that athletics plays in the college's
educational experience," added Lenfest.
The Smith Cup signifies athletics excellence in the eight-team
conference, and is awarded to the MASCAC institution that compiles
the most points based on the placement of each of its men's and
women's programs competing in the 15 championships. Six points are
awarded for first place, four for second place, and two for third
place in round robin team competitions. In the single-day
championship competitions (cross country, track and field) three
points are awarded for first place, two for second, and one for
third.
The Owls finished with 39 points and were closely followed by
Bridgewater State (36.5) and Fitchburg State (27). Bridgewater has
won or shared nine of the past 12 Smith Cup crowns.
A brilliant effort by the spring sports catapulted Westfield State
to the Smith Cup title. The Owls won conference championships in
baseball, men's track and field, women's track and field, and
finished second in softball.
Westfield State earned points in 12 of the 15 championships,
including seven first places. The Owls also claimed MASCAC crowns
in men's cross country, women's cross country, men's indoor track
and field, and women's indoor track and field.
The race for the Smith Cup crown finished in dramatic fashion as
the Westfield needed the Salem State baseball team to win one of
two games vs. Bridgewater on the final day of the regular season.
Salem swept the doubleheader, bumping Bridgewater into fifth
place.
Placing second for the Owls were women's volleyball, softball, and
field hockey. Earning points for placing third during the regular
season were men's basketball and men's soccer. The men's soccer
team did win the conference postseason tournament to earn an NCAA
Tournament
berth, while men's basketball finished second in the MASCAC
Tournament.
"The athletes and coaches take a lot of pride in winning the Smith
Cup," said Lenfest.
