WESTFIELD, Mass. – The Bridgewater State Bears have earned their third straight Massachusetts State Collegiate 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 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.

Bridgewater State collected 75.11 percent (111.17 points) out of a possible 148 points while runner-up Westfield State finished in second with 66.36 percent (106.17 points) out of a possible 160 points. Framingham State landed in third with 63.51 percent (94 points) out of 148 points. Worcester State came in fourth with 60.42 percent (96.67 points) out of 160 points possible.

Salem State finished fifth with 52.94 percent (72 points) of a possible 136 points while Fitchburg State came in sixth with 38.51 percent (57 points) of 148 points possible. Rounding out the list is MCLA with 28 percent (28 points) out of a possible 100 and Massachusetts Maritime with 23.21 percent (26 points) of a possible 112 points.

“We are very proud to have won the Howard C. Smith Cup for the third year in a row,” Bridgewater State Director of Athletics Dr. Marybeth Lamb said.  “The cup represents the best that Division III has to offer. At Bridgewater State, we recognize the impact intercollegiate athletics has on the total college experience and winning this award exemplifies excellence throughout our entire athletic department.”

Since it was first awarded in 1972, Bridgewater State has now won outright or shared the Smith Cup 14 times. Salem State has won or shared 19 of the 42 Smith Cups while Westfield State has won or shared 10 Smith Cup crowns overall.

“I would like to congratulate Bridgewater State’s student-athletes and staff on all of their athletic accomplishments during this year’s Howard C. Smith Cup race,” MASCAC Commissioner Angela Baumann said. “The Bears enjoyed another succesful year in claiming eight MASCAC regular season championships, and their achievement is a testament to the hard work and commitment displayed by the student-athletes in our conference.”

The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference, the nation’s first 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 core 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 2013-14.

The final 2013-14 Howard C. Smith Cup standings are as follows: