Framingham State Finishes Third in Final Smith Cup Standings

Buzzards Bay, Mass. — Framingham State College finishes third as Westfield State College has claimed the 2009-10 Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference Howard C. Smith Cup that is awarded annually to the member institution which compiles the most points based on the placement of each of its programs competing in the 17 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 Colleges 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.

Westfield State captured 77 percent (129.5 points) of a possible 168 points to best 2008-09 Smith Cup winner Bridgewater State College, which claimed 72.8 percent (113.7 points) of a possible 156 points to finish second, as the Owls took their third Smith Cup in the last four years. Framingham State College finished in third place with 55.4 percent (73.2 points) of a possible 132 points, while Salem State College was next in fourth place after garnering 51.7 percent (74.5 points) of a possible 144 points.

“On behalf of Westfield State Athletics, I am proud and honored to accept the 2009-10 Smith Cup,” Westfield State Director of Athletics Dick Lenfest said of this year’s honor. “This award is very special for our student-athletes and represents the overall success of our program in the MASCAC, and it also represents the hard work, commitment and teamwork of our coaches, student-athletes, staff and administration.”

“I would also like to congratulate (Director of Athletics) John Harper and Bridgewater State on an outstanding year,” Lenfest continued. “Bridgewater State Athletics is a first class program, and our teams respect and enjoy the healthy rivlary that exists between our two schools.”

Westfield State has now won outright or shared the Smith Cup nine times. Salem State has won 19 of the 38 Smith Cups overall, while Bridgewater State has won 11 Smith Cup crowns overall, including eight over the last 13 years.

“I would like to congratulate Westfield State’s student-athletes and staff on all of their athletic achievements during this year’s closely contested Howard C. Smith Cup race,” MASCAC Commissioner Angela Baumann said. “The Owls have had an historic year in winning eight MASCAC regular season championships, and their success is a testament to the hard work and dedication displayed by all student-athletes in our conference.”

Now celebrating its 39^th year, the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference is comprised of eight NCAA Division III member institutions: Bridgewater State College, Fitchburg State College, Framingham State College, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State College, Westfield State College and Worcester State College. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University are also affiliate members of the MASCAC in the sport of men’s ice hockey.

The final 2009-10 Howard C. Smith Cup standings are as follows:

Institution Points Possible Pts. Pct.

Westfield State 129.5 168 .770

Bridgewater State 113.7 156 .728

Framingham State 73.2 132 .554

Salem State 74.5 144 .517

Fitchburg State 80.5 156 .516

Worcester State 84.7 168 .504

MCLA 23.5 96 .244

Massachusetts Maritime 18.5 96 .193

Release courtesy of MASCAC Media Relations.