KSC Captures Fifth Straight Commissioner's Cup

PROVIDENCE, RI - Keene State College averaged 6.946 points to finish ahead of runner up Rhode Island College (5.548 points) and capture its fifth consecutive Little East Conference Commissioner’s Cup.

Keene State, which captured seven team titles during the course of the 2004-‘05 competitive year, has now won the Commissioner’s Cup in each of the five years it has been presented. The Owls enjoyed their most success during the fall season where the men’s cross country, women’s cross country, field hockey, men’s soccer and women’s soccer teams all won titles. KSC was unable to gain any championships during the winter but rebounded to take the softball and men’s lacrosse titles.

Keene State held off a late charge from Rhode Island College who had by far its most successful athletic season since the Commissioner’s Cup has been presented. The second place finish bests their previous-high which was a tie at fifth place last year. The baseball team’s surprising championship was the only tournament title won by the Anchormen this season. RIC did however have its volleyball, women’s tennis, men’s basketball and softball squads win or share regular season championships.

The University of Southern Maine, for the second consecutive year, finished third with an average of 5.426 points. The Huskies were triumphant once again in women’s basketball, captured the men’s tennis championship, swept men’s & women’s indoor track and took the women’s outdoor track title. Western Connecticut State University followed closely in fourth with an average of 5.318 points as the Colonials took home the men’s basketball tournament championship. Plymouth State University, winners of the women’s tennis and volleyball tournament titles, earned a fifth place finish with an average of 4.988 points. Eastern Connecticut State University fell to sixth this year as they averaged 4.800 points but did capture the men’s outdoor track and field title and its first-ever women’s lacrosse tournament championship. The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, seventh (3.433) and the University of Massachusetts Boston, eighth (1.863), rounded out the standings.

The Commissioner’s Cup measures an institution’s overall performance in the 19 sports sponsored by the conference. For sports in which the Little East conducts in-season play (baseball, basketball, field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis, and volleyball), point totals are determined by the order of finish in the final regular-season standings, with bonus points awarded to the champion of the ensuing post-season conference tournament. For sports that do not conduct in-season play (cross country, indoor track, outdoor track, and swimming) points are awarded based on the order of finish at the conference championship.

The Little East Conference completed its 19th year of athletic competition during the 2004-‘05 academic year. Initially formed in 1986 as a six-team men’s and women’s basketball conference, the Little East has since grown to its present eight-school membership, sponsoring championship play in 19 intercollegiate athletics: baseball; men’s and women’s basketball; men’s and women’s cross country; field hockey; men’s and women’s lacrosse; men’s and women’s soccer; softball; women’s swimming; men’s and women’s tennis; men’s and women’s indoor track; men’s and women’s outdoor track and women’s volleyball.

Little East Conference Commissioner’s Cup 2004-‘05 Final Standings

Institution - Tournament Titles - Average Total Points

Keene State - 7 - 6.946

Rhode Island College - 1 - 5.548

Southern Maine - 5 - 5.426 Western Connecticut - 1 - 5.318

Plymouth State - 2 - 4.988

Eastern Connecticut - 2 - 4.800

UMass Dartmouth - 1 - 3.433

UMass Boston - 0 - 1.863

Titles Won By Institution

Eastern Connecticut: Men’s Outdoor Track & Field, Women’s Lacrosse

Keene State: Men’s Cross Country, Women’s Cross Country, Field Hockey, Men’s Soccer, Women’s Soccer, Softball, Men’s Lacrosse

UMass Boston: None

UMass Dartmouth: Swimming & Diving

Plymouth State: Women’s Tennis, Volleyball

Rhode Island College: Baseball

Southern Maine: Men’s Indoor Track & Field, Women’s Indoor Track & Field, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Outdoor Track & Field

Western Connecticut: Men’s Basketball