WESTFIELD, Mass. -- For the sixth straight year and 20th time overall, Westfield State earns the Howard C. Smith Cup after receiving the most points in the 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 claimed this year’s honor with 125 points (78.13 percent) out of 160 possible points. They finished first in women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s basketball, softball and women’s outdoor track and field. They also were second in men’s cross country, women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse. 

Narrowly sitting in second place was Bridgewater State with 115 points (77.70 percent) out of 148 available points. The Bears were first in men’s cross country, men’s soccer, women’s volleyball, women’s basketball, baseball and men’s outdoor track and field. They were second in women’s cross country and field hockey while coming in third in women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse.

Landing in third is Worcester State. The Lancers netted 102.50 points (64.06 percent) out of 160 points possible.  They were regular season champs in women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse, second in men’s basketball, softball, women’s outdoor track and field, tied for second in baseball and third in women’s cross country. 

Salem State is fourth with 61.5 points (51.25 percent) out of 120 available. The Vikings tied for second in baseball, third in men’s basketball and softball, fourth in men’s ice hockey,  women’s basketball, women’s soccer and men’s soccer. 

Coming in fifth is Framingham State. The Rams had 77 points (50 percent) out of 154 possible. Following the end of the respective regular season, they were first in football, second in women’s basketball, third in women’s volleyball and fourth in men’s and women’s cross country, men’s basketball, softball and women’s lacrosse.

Fitchburg State is sixth with 62 points (38.75 percent) out of 160 available points. The Falcons finished second in men’s outdoor track and field, tied for second in men’s ice hockey,  third in men’s cross country and tied for third in field hockey. 

Sitting in seventh with 40.50 points (36.16 percent) out of 112 possible points is Anna Maria. The AMCATS tallied 48 points (36.36 percent) out of 132 available. They were first in men’s ice hockey, tied for second in football, fourth in baseball and fifth in men’s soccer. 

Closing out the 2025-26 standings are Mass. Maritime and MCLA in eighth and ninth, respectively. Mass. Maritime. The Buccaneers were tied for second in men’s soccer and football, fifth in men’s outdoor track and field, sixth in men’s and women’s cross country and women’s outdoor track and field and tied for sixth in baseball.The Trailblazers collected 26.50 points (25.48 percent) out of 104 possible points. They came in fourth in women’s volleyball, sixth in men’s ice hockey and softball and tied for sixth in men’s basketball.