WESTFIELD, Mass. – For the fourth year in a  row,  Westfield State received the most points out of the eight institutions to claim the Howard C. Smith Cup following the completion of the spring season. 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 15 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.

Westfield State ended the year first with  114  points (71.25 percent) out of a possible 160 points. The Owls took home the top spot in women's basketball, women's lacrosse and women's  outdoor track and field and a tie for first in baseball and women's soccer. They finished second in women's cross country and men's outdoor track and field and tied for second in volleyball.

Sitting in the second spot is Worcester State with 110.67 points (69.17 percent) out of a possible 160 points. The Lancers claimed five first place finishes during the year in women's cross country, softball and volleyball while tying for first in field hockey and women's soccer. They  were second in football, ice hockey and women's outdoor track and field plus tied for second in men's soccer.

Framingham State is next in third with 85.67 points (57. 88 percent) out of 148 possible points. The Rams sat atop the standings in football while finishing second in women's basketball, women's lacrosse and softball and tied for second in volleyball.

Landing in fourth is Bridgewater State with 81 points (54.73) out of 148 available points. The Bears grabbed the most points in women' s soccer and men' s outdoor track and field while adding a second place finish in men's cross country and men's basketball.

Salem State is in the fifth slot with 58.50 points (48.75 percent) out of 120 available points. The Vikings were first in men's soccer and men's basketball, tied for third in baseball and were fourth in women's soccer. Fitchburg State comes up next in sixth with 71 points (44.38 percent) out of 148 possible points. The Falcons tabbed the most points in men's cross country, ice hockey and tied for first in field hockey while finishing tied for third in men's basketball.

Rounding out this year's standings are Massachusetts Maritime and MCLA in seventh and eighth, respectively. The Buccaneers finished the year with 38.67 points (34.52 percent) out of 112 possible points. They were tied for first in baseball, tied for second in men's soccer and  fifth  in  men's cross country. The Trailblazers had 31.50 points (28.13 percent) out of  112  available points. They were tied for third in men's basketball, fourth in volleyball and tied for fifth in baseball.

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation's oldest Division III men's and women's playing conference, has a rich and storied tradition of competitive success while celebrating excellence in the classroom. MASCAC member schools include Bridgewater State University, Fitchburg State University, Framingham State University, MCLA, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, Salem State University, Westfield State University and Worcester State University. Two other institutions, the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth and Plymouth State University, are affiliate members of the conference in the sports of football and men's ice hockey, while Western Connecticut State University joined the conference as an affiliate member in football beginning in 2013.