University of Massachusets Athletics
A-10 Commissioner's Cup Back Home In Amherst
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May 15, 2001
AMHERST, Mass. -- Massachusetts won its fifth Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Cup, symbolic of overall athletic excellence in league play, the conference office announced today.
"It's a tremendous accomplishment for our program to sweep this award, and it really speaks to the quality of student-athletes and coaches we have at the University," UMass Athletic Director Bob Marcum said. "I believe that we have had a great year, especially in our Olympic sports, and the Commissioner's Cup reflects the hard work, dedication and achievement by all of our student-athletes and coaches. It was a team effort."
In winning the overall title, UMass becomes the first athletic program to ever win the overall Commissioner's Cup, as well as the men's and women's Cups in a single season. The Atlantic 10 has been awarding the Commissioner's Cup since 1993 and separate men's and women's Cups since 1997. Massachusetts previously won the overall Commissioner's Cup in 1995,1996, 1997, and 1998. UMass has won every women's Cup since it began in 1997. This is the first time the Minutemen have won the men's Cup.
UMass won nine team titles this year en route to earning the Cup. UMass women's teams captured championships in field hockey, rowing, softball, swimming & diving, tennis and outdoor track and field. The men earned titles in baseball and swimming & diving, and a share of men's soccer.
In doing so, Massachusetts accumulated 151 points, topping second place Rhode Island and its 110.5 points. The margin of victory is the largest since the Commissioner's Cup has been awarded.
Points are awarded in descending order of finish, equal to the number of teams which participate in each sport. Regular season standings are used in round-robin sports: baseball, men's and women's basketball, field hockey, women's lacrosse, men's and women's soccer, softball, and women's volleyball.
Atlantic 10 Commissioner's Cup Final Standings
Overall Men Women 1. Massachusetts 151.0 63.5 87.5 2. Rhode Island 110.5 52.5 58.0 3. Temple 105.0 41.0 64.0 4. George Washington 99.5 44.0 55.5 5. St. Joseph's 97.0 45.5 51.5 6. Dayton 91.0 42.5 48.5 7. Xavier 86.0 42.5 43.5 8. Duquesne 72.0 31.0 41.0 9. La Salle 71.0 29.5 41.5 10. St. Bonaventure 57.5 40.5 17.0 11. Fordham 53.5 28.5 25.0